INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the projects to be funded by the sums pledged by (a) the UK and (b) the EU as reconstruction aid to Iraq indicating the sum allocated to each project; what the expected UK contribution to (i) the World Bank loan and (ii) the IMF loan is; to what purposes these contributions are expected to be put; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: It is too early to say how the money pledged at Madrid will be allocated by DFID and the EU as priorities are still being determined in coordination with the interim Iraqi Administration and other donors. Equally it is too soon to say what the UK contribution to the World Bank and IMF loans will be.
	As soon as DFID approves its reconstruction projects for Iraq, details will be placed in the House Library and published in the weekly sitrep that can be obtained on the DFID website www.dfid.gov.uk

Iraq

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the projected aid budget for reconstruction in Iraq has been funded by changes in the aid budget for other countries in financial year 2003–04.

Hilary Benn: None of the funding for reconstruction in Iraq this financial year has been found from planned expenditure for other countries. Of the £312 million budget for 2003–04 £180 million is additional resources for reconstruction from Treasury reserves and a further £75 million has been sourced from the DFID contingency reserve. The rest has been found from existing allocation for Iraq, MOD funds, the Global Conflict Prevention Pool and our share of EC funding for Iraq.

Gender Advisers

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the sexual balance is of the team of gender advisers he has assigned to Iraq.

Hilary Benn: Both members of the team are female.

Malaria

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) children and (b) pregnant mothers died of malaria in developing countries in each of the last five years, using figures from his Department's research.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Children and pregnant women are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria. The WHO'S most recent official estimates of children under-5 dying of malaria for year 2000 are close to 1 million deaths globally. There are no official WHO estimates of malaria related mortality for pregnant women. WHO and Roll Back Malaria (RBM) recognise the importance of having more accurate estimates, which are important to measure progress and ensure that global targets are met.
	DFID has contributed £48 million over four years (1999 to 2003) to RBM, a global partnership which includes national governments, UN agencies, pharmaceutical companies and NGOs, with the objective of working to half the world's malaria burden by 2010. This will be done through expanding coverage for preventative interventions (e.g. insecticide-treated mosquito nets), expanding effective treatment for the disease and strengthening national capacity for surveillance, monitoring and planning.

Middle Income Countries

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's programmes for middle income countries will (a) be ended early and (b) have their funding reduced in (i) 2004–05 and (ii) 2005–06.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: The Secretary of State outlined intended changes to programmes for middle-income countries in his statement to the House of 6 November 2003, Official Report, column 42WS. More detailed plans are now being made, in consultation with partner countries and other donors. They will be embodied in the annual revision of DFID's Aid Framework, which is expected to be completed over the next two months.

Namibia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response he will make to the drought relief appeal in Namibia.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Namibia launched an appeal to donors at a meeting in Windhoek on 20 November. We and other agencies are currently considering this appeal and the wider issues it raises for emergency planning and response in Namibia.

Uganda

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are taking to address the humanitarian crisis (a) in Northern Uganda and (b) in the Anglican Diocese of Soroti.

Hilary Benn: The situation in Northern and Eastern Uganda has resulted in the UK disbursing an additional £4.4 million over the last 12 months specifically targeted at the humanitarian situation. This assistance has been channelled through the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the Uganda Red Cross Society to support those affected by the conflict. We are currently considering how best to programme a further £4.1 million for urgent humanitarian needs. This will include additional support to the Red Cross specifically for helping those suffering in Eastern Uganda, including Soroti.

UNICEF

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Government will support the UNICEF strategy for orphans and vulnerable children.

Hilary Benn: The UK supports UNICEF's Medium Term Strategic Plan 2002–05 which provides support to orphans and vulnerable children through its five priority areas of: child protection; girls' education; immunisation; early childhood development; and tackling HIV/AIDS. The UK supports UNICEF's Plan by providing £17 million a year to UNICEF's regular resources. In 2002, the UK provided a further £34 million in extra-budgetary support.

TRANSPORT

Air Accidents

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many air accidents or serious incidents, in addition to total losses, involving United Kingdom-registered airlines are registered on the Airclaims CASE database for the last 10 years for which information is available; and what the comparable accident level was for airlines registered in (a) the Republic of Ireland and (b) Germany.

Tony McNulty: The following table sets out the number of major partial loss and minor loss accidents for United Kingdom, German and Irish airlines contained in the Airclaims CASE database for the period 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2002.
	
		Accidents other than total loss accidents for the period 1 January 1993 to 1 January 2003
		
			  Passenger operations Cargo operation 
			  Aircraft >5,700 kg mtwa Aircraft <5,700 kg mtwa Aircraft >5,700 kg mtwa Aircraft <5,700kg mtwa 
		
		
			 UK airlines 29 0 5 0 
			 German airlines 12 0 2 0 
			 Irish airlines 3 0 1 0 
		
	
	Note:
	Mtwa = maximum total weight authorised.
	These figures are not directly comparable because of differences in other factors such as the number of hours flown.

Cycling (Helmets)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cycling (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries occurred among (i) adults and (ii) children in each of the last three years; and in each category what percentage of these adults and children were wearing helmets.

David Jamieson: The following table shows fatal and serious pedal cycle casualties among adults and children for each of the last three years.
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 
			 Severity Child Adult Child Adult Child Adult 
		
		
			 Fatal 27 98 25 111 22 107 
			 Serious 731 1,856 649 1,840 572 1,694 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures exclude cases where the age of the casualty was unknown.
	Information on the percentages of adults and children in each category wearing helmets is not held centrally.

Highway Land

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require statutory undertakers and private companies to pay a rent to local authorities for the stationing of (a) fixed equipment and (b) street furniture on highway land; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We have no plans to introduce legislation to require statutory undertakers and private companies to pay a rent to local authorities for such activities on highway land.

London Underground

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for replacement of rolling stock on the London Underground Victoria Line; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Responsibility for London Underground transferred from the Government to Transport for London in July this year. Improvements to the Victoria Line infrastructure are the responsibility of Metronet Rail BCV. Metronet are committed to the delivery of 47 new trains on the Victoria Line, all of which will enter service between 2009 and 2012.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of amalgamation and rationalisation of (a) services, (b) management, (c) premises, (d) depots and (e) fleet provided by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other bodies responsible for maritime safety in UK territorial waters.

David Jamieson: No specific assessment has been made nor is it considered necessary. The UK land, sea and air Strategic Committee, through its Operators' Group, keeps opportunities for amalgamation and rationalisation of resources for the promotion of maritime safety under review.
	The Strategic Committee, which reports directly to Ministers, and the Operators' Group are chaired by my Department and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency respectively. They include representatives from all the UK emergency services, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Coastguard calls relating to (a) commercial shipping, (b) leisure craft, (c) fishing vessels and (d) passenger ferries there were in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each case.

David Jamieson: HM Coastguard receives calls relating to commercial shipping, leisure craft, fishing vessels and passenger ferries either directly from the vessel via radio or satellite communication, or from interested parties ashore via telephone. A record is not kept of the number of individual calls received and as the receiver of such calls there is no cost to HM Coastguard.

Powershift Initiative

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many individuals he expects to apply for grants under the Powershift initiative for the (a) conversion of vehicles and (b) for the purchase of low emission vehicles in (i) the current financial year and (ii) each of the next three financial years;
	(2)  what the level of unallocated funds is for grants for (a) the conversation of vehicles and (b) the purchase of low emission vehicles under the Powershift initiative, in this financial year;
	(3)  what the total cost has been of the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift initiative in each of the years since its commencement;
	(4)  what the total reduction in carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide attributable to the Powershift initiative has been in each of the years since its commencement;
	(5)  what steps he will take to encourage the introduction and development of (a) gas driven, (b) electric, (c) biomass fuelled, (d) hybrid low emission and (e) hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles.

David Jamieson: "Powering Future Vehicles—The Government Strategy", published in July 2002, describes the action which the Government are taking to promote the shift to clean, low carbon fuels and vehicles, including low duty rates for liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, hydrogen and biofuels, the introduction of CO2-based graduated VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) and company car tax, and grants towards the purchase or conversion of cleaner fuelled vehicles, including electric and hybrid vehicles. The First Annual Report on implementation of the Strategy was published in October. Copies of both documents have been placed in the House Library. In this financial year the Energy Saving Trust estimate that they will provide grants for around 4000 vehicles under the PowerShift programme, compared to some 2000 vehicles last year. My Department is currently discussing with the Trust how they can support the Government's environmental objectives in future years. Estimates are not yet available for the number of PowerShift grants in future years. In the current financial year, take-up of PowerShift grants has been strong, and the year's resources have been fully allocated. However, if existing offers are not fully taken up, the resources will be allocated to organisations or individuals whose grant applications have been placed on the PowerShift waiting list. The financial outturn for PowerShift are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Outturn (£ million) 
		
		
			 1997–98 1.684. 
			 1998–99 2.254 
			 1999–2000 3.837 
			 2000–01 8.147 
			 2001–02 9.201 
			 2002–03 5.201 
			 2003–04(1) 9.125 
		
	
	(1) Forecast outturn to end March 2004
	The Energy Saving Trust is currently carrying out a detailed review of CO2 and NOx savings resulting from the PowerShift programme since its inception in 1997. This will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railcards

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the outcome of discussions between the train operating industry and the Strategic Rail Authority to develop a national discount railcard.

Tony McNulty: Following the Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA) Fares Review, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport asked the SRA to explore options for the introduction of a well-targeted National Railcard. The SRA is in discussion with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) about the best way of taking this forward.

Railcards

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the effect on sales of Network Railcards of limiting their application to journeys costing more than £10 in the South East;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of leisure journeys made in the South East between June 2002 and June 2003 which (a) cost less than £10 and (b) did not attract Network Railcard discounts.

Tony McNulty: The South East Network card is a commercial "product" and as such is not subject to Government regulation. It's conditions of issue and use are matters for the train operating companies. Information on its use is not held centrally.

Railways (Toilets)

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to oblige franchised train operators to provide toilet facilities (a) on trains and (b) in stations.

Tony McNulty: There are no plans to oblige franchised train operators to provide toilet facilities on trains or in stations.
	Train operators provide toilet and other facilities where they consider it appropriate, bearing in mind their obligation to achieve improved levels of customer satisfaction.

Shipping Safety

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times foreign ships have been detained for falling short of safety standards following inspection in British ports in each year since 2000–01; what (a) prosecutions and (b) penalties have resulted; what the current annual budget is for the inspection and enforcement of international, European and national safety standards; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The number of foreign flag ships detained in UK ports as a result of Port State Control inspections in each year since 2000–01 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of Detentions 
		
		
			 2000 112 
			 2001 114 
			 2002 116 
			 2003 to date 91 
			 Total 433 
		
	
	None of these detentions have needed to be followed by a formal prosecution.
	In the current financial year the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's budget for ship inspections and related activity including enforcement is £25,769,000.

South Central Trains

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the new level of subsidy to South Central Trains each year is for the revised length of the franchise.

Kim Howells: The subsidy per year is as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Subsidy (£ million) 
		
		
			 2003–04 79.5 
			 2004–05 104.5 
			 2005–06 110 
			 2006–07 104.5 
			 2007–08 98.5 
			 2008–09 90 
			 2009–10 84

NORTHERN IRELAND

Peace Process

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the results of the Assembly elections.

Paul Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

Peace Process

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress towards the restoration of self-government in the Province.

Paul Murphy: I refer my hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

Peace Process

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process.

Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the member for Sheffield Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

Peace Process

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the resumption of power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Helen Jackson).

Reform and Reinvestment Initiative

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.

Ian Pearson: On 19 February 2003 I announced details of a five year £2.1 billion Strategic Investment Programme. A Strategic Investment Board has been established and made considerable progress in improving the performance of Northern Ireland's capital expenditure programme. It is actively involved in many key projects, including eight which it sponsors directly.
	In addition six former security sites have been made available for social and economic regeneration. One site is to be sold with the proceeds ring-fenced for Reinvestment and Reform Initiative purposes. An Urban Regeneration Company has been established to regenerate the Ebrington Barracks site and consultation is under way to determine the best possible use for the other four sites.
	The Government remains committed to reflecting the intentions of the former Executive to drive forward a programme to improve our public services through reform and modernisation.

Belfast Airport (Policing)

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions his Department has held with Belfast International Airports Authority regarding future policing arrangements at the airport; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: A Security Co-ordinating Committee, chaired by a NIO Official and including representatives from PSNI, RAF Aldergrove, Department for Transport, Department for Rural Development and the Airport Authority, oversees the provision of security at Belfast International Airport. Earlier this year a review of security was carried out by PSNI, the results of which were approved by the Security Coordinating Committee.
	The implementation of these recommendations will impact on policing numbers at the airport and the Airport Authority has apprised the Department of their implementation plan.

Religious Schools

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps religious schools have to take to teach ethical, moral and religious views other than their own faith; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Religious Education is a compulsory subject in all grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland. While the RE core syllabus is Christian in content, it is intended to comprise only 50 per cent. of teaching time for RE, allowing schools scope to include study about other world religions if they so wish. A revised core syllabus, currently under development, includes proposals for the study of other world religions.

National Sports Stadium

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had on building a national sports stadium for Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Support remains for the principle of a national sports stadium but this must be considered on the grounds of need, long term sustainability and in light of other priorities. The Sports Council for Northern Ireland is presently re-considering options for the way forward on a national stadium and this may provide a basis for discussions with the appropriate stake holders in due course.

TREASURY

Birth Statistics

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many births were registered for (a) 1 September 2002 and (b) 31 August 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. George Osborne, dated 3 December 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of births registered for (a) 1 September 2002 and (b) 31 August 2002.
	In England and Wales, 1,460 livebirths and 14 stillbirths occurred on 31 August 2002; on 1 September 1,349 livebirths and 15 stillbirths occurred.

Consumer Prices (Harmonised Index)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the harmonised index of consumer prices will apply to index-linked pay in (a) central government employment, (b) the National Health Service and (c) independent statutory agencies and regulators.

Ruth Kelly: Pay is not index-linked to inflation in any part of the public sector. Pay remains the responsibility of individual departments and employers.

Consumer Prices (Harmonised Index)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to link index-linked public sector (a) pay and (b) pensions to the harmonised index of consumer prices; and what estimate he has made of the change in annual public sector annuities which would result.

Ruth Kelly: Pay is not index-linked to inflation in any part of the public sector. Pay remains the responsibility of individual departments and employers.
	Nor are there any plans to link index-linked public service pensions to the harmonised index of consumer prices. When the Chancellor announced his intention to change the inflation target to one set on the consumer prices (HICP) definition, in his statements on Economic and Monetary Union on 9 June and 10 July, he also confirmed that pensions such as State second pension and public service pension benefits would be calculated on exactly the same basis as now. Public service pensions will continue to be increased in line with the September to September movement in the retail prices index, as calculated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). benefits would be calculated on exactly the same basis as now. Public service pensions will continue to be increased in line with the September to September movement in the retail prices index, as calculated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Consumer Prices (Harmonised Index)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the interest paid on index-linked government securities was in each year since 1997; and what the interest payments would have been if the harmonised index of consumer prices had been applied.

Ruth Kelly: The following table sets out the actual interest paid on index-linked gilts each year between 1997–98 and 2002–03.
	
		Interest paid on index-linked gilts(2) -- £ billion
		
			 Year Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 3.1 
			 1998–99 3.6 
			 1999–2000 2.5 
			 2000–01 3.9 
			 2001–02 3.0 
			 2002–03 3.0 
		
	
	(2) Including RPI inflation uplift
	No estimates have been produced of the interest costs of index-linked gilts based on a calculated inflation uplift using the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) rather than the general index of retail prices (RPI).

Correspondence

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 25 September from the honourable Member for Haltemprice and Howden concerning the signing off of the EU's accounts by the Council of Ministers and Commissioner Kinnock's conduct as Vice President of the Commission and Commissioner for Administrative Reform.

Gordon Brown: I have done so.

Customs (Shoreham Harbour)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many inspections were carried out by HM Customs on (a) vessels entering Shoreham Harbour and (b) aircraft landing at Shoreham Airport in the last year.

John Healey: HM Customs and Excise do not publish precise details of how many searches or examinations are conducted at specific locations as there is a risk of prejudicing ongoing and future law enforcement operations.
	Exemption 4 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.

Graduate Earnings

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) average and (b) median earnings of graduates who are full-time employees in each age cohort from the age of 25.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Jim Cousins, dated 3 December 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the average and median earnings of graduates who are full-time employees. (141203)
	The attached table gives the available information from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). These estimates are for the three month period ending August 2003.
	
		Mean and median earnings of graduates(3),(4) who are full-time(5) employees by age United Kingdom -- Three months to August 2003Not seasonally adjusted
		
			  Average gross weekly earnings (£s) 
			 Age group (4) Mean Median 
		
		
			  
			  
			 25 and over 669 577 
			 25–34 547 481 
			 35–49 754 654 
			 50 and over 733 678 
		
	
	(3) People whose highest qualification is degree level or above
	(4) Upper age limit is 64 for men and 59 for women.
	(5) The definition of full-time/part-time is based on respondents' self-assessment.
	Note
	These estimates have not been adjusted to reflect the 2001 Census results.
	Source
	Labour Force Survey (ONS)

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people have been successfully prosecuted in each of the last six years for illegally importing meat products;
	(2)  how much has been spent by local authorities in Sussex in each of the last six years on prosecuting cases involving illegal importation of meat.

John Healey: In respect of HM Customs and Excise I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wealden (Mr. Hendry) on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 143W. They brought two prosecutions in 2001.
	In respect of prosecutions undertaken by agencies other than Customs, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 10 March 2003, Official Report, column 70W.

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many seizures of illegal meat imports by Customs have taken place at Heathrow airport since April;
	(2)  what amount of illegally imported meat products has been seized by HM Customs and their agents at UK ports of entry in each of the last six years.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Wealden (Mr. Hendry) on 27 October 2003, Official Report, column 40W. The figures published by Defra for total seizures of imported goods by all agencies, at ports of entry and elsewhere in 2001–02 and 2002–03 are 2,053 (114,790 kg) and 7,819 (109,211 kg) respectively. Figures for earlier years are not held centrally.

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what inspections are carried out on imported cargo at Heathrow airport, and where, to check for illegally imported meat products.

John Healey: HM Customs and Excise inspect imported cargo on a risk-based and intelligence-led basis. Since 11 April 2003 risk assessments have included illegally imported meat products. Checks are carried out in the Customs controlled freight area and can vary from simple visual inspections to full physical examinations.

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what specialist training is available to customs officers to detect illegally imported meat products.

John Healey: The operational skills required for detecting illegally imported meat and other animal products are the same as for Customs and Excise other anti-smuggling responsibilities. All customs officers involved in such work are trained in anti-smuggling techniques before commencing operational duties.
	As part of the implementation of their new responsibilities in respect of illegal imports of meat and products of animal origin, HM Customs and Excise have provided specific training to existing anti-smuggling staff across the United Kingdom. Similar training has been incorporated into formal training programmes for staff who are new to anti-smuggling work or who are receiving structured refresher training.
	The training covers the scope of the relevant regulations and the ontrols, the nature of the products subject to prohibition or restriction, dealing with seizures, links to other agencies and where to seek advice.

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many trained sniffer dogs are deployed for the detection of illegal meat imports at UK ports of entry; and where they are located.

John Healey: Customs deploy two meat detector dogs and a further four will be deployed early in the new year, as soon as their training is complete. All of these dogs can be deployed at any port or airport across the UK.

Illegal Meat Imports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers of arrest are available to law enforcement officers operating at UK airports against people suspected of importing meat products illegally.

John Healey: Customs officers have powers under Sections 50 and 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 to arrest any persons suspected of knowingly importing meat products illegally.

Imported Cargo

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is responsible for inspecting imported cargo at each major UK airport.

John Healey: HM Customs and Excise inspect imported cargo at airports and ports where there is reason to do so, for example to verify the import declaration or to check for prohibited or restricted goods. Other government departments or local authorities may also inspect specific cargoes in which they have a specific interest, in order to carry out their statutory duties.

Income Tax

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be raised by increasing the basic rate of income tax by one pence on the residents of (a) Portsmouth Unitary Authority and (b) Southampton Unitary Authority.

Dawn Primarolo: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Additional full-year yield of increasing the basic rate of tax by 1p in 2000–01
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			  
			  
			 (a) Portsmouth Unitary Authority 13.0 
			 (b) Southampton Unitary Authority 9.1 
		
	
	Estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes. The effects of the illustrative changes can be scaled up or down over a reasonably wide range. The results exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

Payroll Giving

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been donated by his Department as part of the Payroll Giving scheme in each year since 1995.

Ruth Kelly: Currently, 143 staff give a total of £3,400 each month to their chosen charities through payroll giving. This figure represents 12 per cent. of Treasury staff.
	Information from the payroll prior to May 2003 is not available.

Payroll Giving

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Payroll Giving scheme.

John Healey: In April 2000, the Government set a target to raise the amount given through Payroll Giving to £60 million by April 2003 and to increase the proportion of employees who have access to Payroll Giving schemes from an estimated 1 in 5 to 1 in 3. The total given in 1998–99 was £29 million and by 2002–03 was £86 million. The number of donors has risen from around 400,000 in 1998–99 to around 520,000 in 2002–03, although survey data from July 2003 indicated that there has been little increase in the proportion of employees with access to schemes.
	While the growth in levels of giving has clearly exceeded expectations, and the rise in the number of donors is welcome, the Government remains keen to find ways to encourage greater access to schemes.
	In the 2002 Pre-Budget Report we launched the Corporate Challenge. The aim of the Corporate Challenge is to increase business involvement in community activity in three main areas, one of which is corporate support for and promotion of Payroll Giving schemes.

Payroll Giving

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to promote use of the Payroll Giving to charities scheme.

John Healey: In April 2000, the Government introduced a number of measures to encourage charitable giving through Payroll Giving schemes. The maximum amounts that could be given each year under Payroll Giving was abolished; we announced a three-year publicity campaign to promote the scheme to employers and their employees and introduced a ten per cent supplement on all Payroll Giving donations until April 2003. The cost of the supplement is met from public expenditure. The supplement was extended for a further year until April 2004, to allow charity fundraisers to make the most of the boost to this method of giving.
	In the 2002 Pre-Budget we launched the Corporate Challenge. The aim of the Corporate Challenge is to increase business involvement in community activity in three main areas, one of which is corporate support for and promotion of Payroll Giving schemes.
	We also support The Giving Campaign, an independent, three year national campaign established as a partnership between Government and the voluntary sector, to encourage charitable giving and a culture of giving. The Campaign has, as one of its initiatives, been encouraging employers to develop strategies for giving by employees.
	The amount given under Payroll Giving has increased from £29 million in 1998–99 to £86 million in 2002–03.

Pesticides Tax

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has completed the further work and analysis on the design of a possible pesticides tax or other economic instrument to minimise the adverse effects of pesticide use as referred to in the Pre-Budget Report presented in autumn 2002.

John Healey: In 2001, the Government introduced the Voluntary Initiative to reduce the environmental impacts of pesticide use. Work on further or complementary measures, which could take the form of economic instruments, is on-going. The case for using any alternative measures will depend on the progress of the Voluntary Initiative.

Security Equipment (Tax Relief)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has for tax relief on investment made by retailers in specified security equipment for stores under 3,000 square feet.

Dawn Primarolo: Capital spending by businesses, including retailers, on security equipment can qualify for tax relief through the capital allowances system. The generally available rate of writing-down allowances for spending on plant and machinery is 25 per cent. a year on the reducing balance basis. Small and medium-sized enterprises can claim 40 per cent. first-year allowances on their spending.

Suicides

Charles Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of (a) males and (b) females under the age of 30 died as a result of suicide in each of the last 10 years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Charles Hendry, dated 3 December 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the proportion of (a) males and (b) females under the age of 30 who died as a result of suicide in each of the last 10 years. (140787)
	The most recent available mortality data are for the calendar year 2002 and cover England and Wales. The attached table contains suicide figures for each year from 1993 to 2002.
	
		Number of total deaths and proportion of deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted(6), aged under 30 by sex, England and Wales, 1993 to 2002(7)
		
			  All deaths Percentage due tosuicide Age-standardisedsuicide rate(8) 
			 Calendar year Males Females Males Females Males Females 
		
		
			 1993 7,840 4,399 12.9 5.3 8.8 2.1 
			 1994 7,642 4,134 14.0 5.2 9.4 1.9 
			 1995 7,594 4,054 12.9 5.6 8.8 2.1 
			 1996 7,411 4,077 12.4 5.6 8.5 2.1 
			 1997 7,319 3,941 13.3 5.7 9.2 2.1 
			 1998 6,983 3,811 14.0 6.0 9.4 2.2 
			 1999 6,839 3,741 12.9 5.9 8.6 2.2 
			 2000 6,472 3,566 12.7 6.0 8.0 2.1 
			 2001 6,210 3,510 11.5 5.2 7.0 1.8 
			 2002 6,128 3,287 11.2 6.1 6.8 2.0 
		
	
	(6) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1990 to 2000, and, for the year 2001 and 2002, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.
	(7) Figures are for deaths occurring per calendar year.
	(8) Age-standardised rate per 100,000 standardised to the European standard population.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Activity Co-ordination Team

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will list the recommendations the Activity Co-ordination Team has made on a methodology to secure better evidence and data on participation;
	(2)  if she will list the (a) interventions and (b) pilot projects for which the Activity Co-ordination Team has provided funding;
	(3)  if she will list the recommendations the Activity Co-ordination Team has made to her to raise mass participation in sport and physical activity.

Richard Caborn: The Activity Co-ordination Team (ACT) has been established by government to increase participation in physical activity and sport. ACT is not a funding body but in spring 2004 will provide ministers with a delivery plan setting out recommendations to co-ordinate initiatives and research across government for the three years up until March 1997.
	I am arranging for copies of the Terms of Reference for ACT to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Thornborough Henges

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with North Yorkshire County Council on allowing quarrying of sand and gravel in the setting of the henges; what assessment she has made of the effect on the archaeological value and integrity of the surrounding of the henges of such quarrying; and whether further planning applications have been lodged for further quarrying in the setting.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply
	The responsibility for minerals planning in North Yorkshire rests with the County Council. It is required to consult widely when preparing its minerals development plan, including taking advice from English Heritage on archaeological matters. Similarly, English Heritage may make representations in respect of planning applications for sand and gravel extraction if it considers these may affect archaeological interests. No planning application for extraction of sand and gravel in the vicinity of Thornborough Henges has been received, to date, by North Yorkshire County Council. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made any assessment of the effect of any possible sand and gravel extraction on the archaeological value and integrity of the surrounding of the henges because that is the responsibility of the mineral planning authority.

Olympic Games

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that Ministers representing the United Kingdom abroad are adequately briefed on the London 2012 Olympic bid.

Tessa Jowell: All Ministers have been briefed on the International Olympic Committee's Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct that applies to Applicant Cities. This advice included details of what Ministers could and could not do in support of the London 2012 bid, particularly in relation to overseas promotion, which cannot be undertaken until after November 2004.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have in place arrangements for overseas missions to alert their Public Diplomacy Policy Department to relevant visits by Ministers so that appropriate briefing on the London 2012 bid can be provided.
	A working group of officials from Government Departments has been formed, chaired by DCMS, and has met regularly. The terms of reference for the group are to provide advice to the bidding organisation, London 2012, on the relevant Government interests in the bid and to provide advice on Olympic bid matters to Government Ministers.

DEFENCE

D-Day Anniversary

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on Royal representation at the D-Day commemoration events in Normandy in 2004.

Ivor Caplin: Invitations have now been received and are being considered. I will make a further announcement to the House shortly.

HMS Diligence

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace repair ship HMS Diligence when she is decommissioned; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: It is planned that the Forward Repair Ship Royal Fleet Auxiliary Diligence will remain in service until around the end of the decade. Decisions have yet to be taken on how best to deliver future Forward Repair capability.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total annual cost of the United Kingdom military commitment to Iraq is, assuming current manning and equipment levels.

Adam Ingram: For 2002–03, the cost of operations in Iraq totalled £847.211 million, comprising £629.531 million Operating Costs and £217.680 million Capital Costs.
	For 2003–04, at the moment, the Ministry of Defence intends to seek a further £1.2 billion at Winter Supplementary Estimates to cover the likely costs of Operation Telic in 2003–04. This will cover primarily the cost of peacekeeping and associated Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs). It does not include the cost of the Recuperation of my Department's operational capability. This is still being assessed. The forecast for 2003–04 may change as a result of stock being returned from Iraq and its value being credited against the overall cost of the operation. An updated forecast of costs for 2003–04 will be published in the Spring Supplementary Estimates.
	It is too early to say what costs might be incurred after 2003–04.

Merchant Ships

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of merchant ships chartered by his Department to support allied efforts in the 2003 Iraq war (a) were over 20-years-old and (b) flew the red ensign.

Adam Ingram: Some 37 per cent. of merchant ships chartered in support of the Iraq campaign were over 20-years-old. Some 31 per cent. of ships chartered flew the Red Ensign.

Missile Defence

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is a memorandum of understanding involving the UK Government in connection with missile defence; to what it commits the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 57WS announcing the signature of a Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding with the United States. A copy of the MOU is available in the Library of the House (Reference: DEP 03/2054).

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to increase the proportion of parliamentary questions tabled by hon. Members answered within the target time.

Ivor Caplin: Every effort is made to answer all parliamentary questions tabled by right hon. and hon. Members within the target time. Working practices and procedures, including IT, are continually reviewed to identify problem areas and improve performance.

Personnel Costs

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much of its personnel budget the Defence Aviation Repair Agency spent in Scotland in 2002 in (a) monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; how these figures compare to the previous year; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much of its personnel budget the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory spent in Scotland in 2002 in (a) monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; how these figures compare to the previous year; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how much of its personnel budget the MOD Police spent in Scotland in 2002 (a) in monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what the equivalent figures were for 2002; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how much of its personnel budget the (a) Defence Bills Agency and (b) Meteorological Office spent in Scotland in 2002 in (i) monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; how these figures compare to the previous year; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  how much of its personnel budget the Defence Medical Education and Training Agency spent in Scotland in 2002 in (a) monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what these figures were 12 months previously; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  how much of its personnel budget the (a) UK Hydrographic Office and (b) Defence Analytical Services Agency spent in Scotland in 2002 in (i) monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what the figures were 12 months previously; and if he will make a statement;
	(7)  how much of its personnel budget Defence Estates spent in Scotland in 2002 (a) in monetary terms and (b) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what the equivalent figures were 12 months previously; and if he will make a statement;
	(8)  how much of its personnel budget the (a) Veterans Agency and (b) Disposal Services Agency spent in Scotland in 2002 in (i) monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what the figures were 12 months previously; and if he will make a statement;
	(9)  how much of its personnel budget the (a) British Forces Post Office and (b) Warship Support Agency spent in Scotland in 2002 in (i) monetary terms and (ii) as a percentage of the total personnel budget; what the figures were 12 months previously; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Regional spending figures for personnel costs are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

School Places

George Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what proportion of the money his Department spent on school places for children of service personnel was spent in the independent sector in each year since 1996; and what he estimates the proportion will be in 2003;
	(2)  what the average cost to his Department was of the school places provided for the children of service personnel in independent and private schools in each year since 1996.

Ivor Caplin: The information is not held in the format requested.
	The various annual rates of Service Education Allowances per child, from 1996 onwards are shown in the following table:
	
		Allowance (£)
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Boarding 
			 Junior 5,943 6,243 6,507 7,314 7,554 8,034 8,700 9,525 
			 Senior 7,050 7,407 7,707 8,649 9,216 10,146 11,166 12,060 
			  
			 Day 
			 Junior — 3,606 3,954 4,263 4,482 4,797 5,163 5,742 
			 Senior — 4,578 4,845 5,550 5,871 6,375 6,900 7,494 
			  
			 Special Educational Needs (SENA) — — — — 18,000 18,000 18,000 18,000 
			  
			 SENA(Day) — — — — 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000 
		
	
	Junior rates are usually paid for Service children aged eight to 11. Senior rates are usually paid for Service children aged 11 to 18.

Service Pensions

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what action he is taking to ensure that members of the armed forces are not affected by future pension troughs;
	(2)  what the outcome was of recent discussions between his Department and the Forces Pension Society on remedying the effects of the pensions trough affecting Service personnel between 1976 and 1978.

Ivor Caplin: I met Air Chief Marshal Sir Roger Palin and Major General James Gordon from the Forces Pension Society (FPS) on 19 November 2003. During our discussions, I recognised the strength of feeling among those ex-Service personnel affected by pension troughs and the Society's concern that a remedy should be found for this. However, after careful consideration of the matter, I informed the Society that I did not intend to revisit this issue.
	The cost of uplifting only future payments of those affected by the mid-1970s trough would be very substantial and it would be impossible to avoid extending any change to those, whether in the armed forces or more widely, affected by other pensions troughs. It has been the policy of successive Governments that it would not be appropriate to make retrospective change to pension entitlements.
	For the future, and reflecting the Society's concerns, Service personnel who become members of the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme will be less exposed to the effects of any periods of pay restraint and high inflation because their pensions will be based on their best earnings in the last three years of Service, with earlier years' earnings up-rated for inflation.

Typhoon

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether the Typhoon will be fitted with the technology to make it capable of integrating with a network-centric warfare environment;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of a lack of network-centric warfare technology on the Typhoon's ability to fight effectively in a network-centric warfare environment.

Adam Ingram: We plan to fit Typhoon with technology which will make it capable of integrating with a network-centric warfare environment. Specifically, we plan to equip it with a Multi-function Information Distribution Systems (MIDS). This will allow it to access National, NATO and coalition Link-16 networks. This will enable Typhoon to access threat and targeting data supplied by other aircraft as well as by maritime and land based units.
	Consequently, no assessment is required of the effect of the lack of such a capability.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Legislation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation sponsored by his Department in 2002–03 was introduced to implement EU requirements.

Caroline Flint: The Home Office sponsored five Bills during the 2002–03 Session, which made a total of approximately 868 pages once enacted. One of the Bills (now the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003, 90 pages) predominantly implements EU requirements. Another (now the Extradition Act, 136 pages long) partly implements EU requirements. The other three Bills were not introduced to implement EU requirements.
	Of the 240 Statutory Instruments produced by the Home Office during the same Session that fell to be considered by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments only five were introduced to implement EU requirements. These Instruments made up only 74 pages out of the total of 438 pages of Instruments produced during the Session.

Murder Investigations

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detectives are working full-time on murder investigations in Nottinghamshire, expressed as a percentage of all detectives.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 1 December 2003
	We do not hold this information centrally. The deployment of police in a particular force is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to allow him/her to respond to local needs.

Police

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) police civilian staff were employed by Nottinghamshire Police on 31 March of each year since 31 March 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is set out in the table and includes the latest published police officer strength for 31 August 2003. At the end of August Nottinghamshire Constabulary had record strength.
	
		Nottinghamshire Constabulary
		
			  Police officers(9) Police staff(9) 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 2,323 1,003 
			 31 March 1998 2,323 987 
			 31 March 1999 2,225 1,039 
			 31 March 2000 2,204 1,024 
			 31 March 2001 2,275 1,039 
			 31 March 2002 2,330 1,087 
			 31 March 2003 2,426 1,180 
			 31 August 2003 2,468 n/a 
		
	
	(9) Data is for full-time equivalent strength

Police

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers served (a) St Helens, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West region in each year since 1992.

Hazel Blears: Information for police strength in the Merseyside Police and the police forces that make up the Government Office area for the North-west are set out in the table for each year since 1992.
	Information on police strength at Basic Command Unit level has only been collected on a regular basis since 2002. The St Helen's Basic Command Unit's strength has increased from 316 police officers on 31 March 2002 to 322 on 31 March 2003.
	I am told that Merseyside Police aim to have 4,208 police officers by 31 March 2004. On 31 March 2003 Merseyside Police had 1,752 police (support) staff which is 409 more than in March 1997. The force also plans to have 100 Community Support Officers by 31 March 2004.
	
		Police strength for Merseyside Police and North West region for March 1992 to August 2003
		
			 Year(10) Merseyside police North West Region 
		
		
			 1992 4,621 17,933 
			 1993 4,669 18,040 
			 1994 4,693 17,906 
			 1995 4,659 18,007 
			 1996 4,411 17,633 
			 1997 4,230 17,590 
			 1998 4,216 17,628 
			 1999 4,211 17,463 
			 2000 4,085 17,153 
			 2001 4,081 17,296 
			 2002 4,125 17,804 
			 2003 4,099 18,040 
			 2003(11) 4,123 18,508 
		
	
	(10) As at 31 March
	(11) As at 31 August

Road Safety

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of speed cameras are in compliance with European standards of accuracy.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 2 December 2003
	From July 2003, in line with European standards, all new speed cameras will be required to be accurate to ±2 mph up to 66 mph and ±3 per cent. above 66 mph. This has not yet been implemented for existing cameras, but we consider that all cameras are in fact already accurate to this level.
	Speed camera accuracy is enforced by the type approval system. In order for evidence from them to be used in Court proceedings, all speed cameras have to be of a type approved by the Secretary of State after rigorous testing against set specifications. Testing ensures that devices are robust, reliable and can produce accurate readings or images under a variety of extreme conditions. In addition all cameras are subjected to annual checks to ensure their continuing accuracy.

Vehicle Crime

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department has taken to implement the recommendations in "Tackling Vehicle Crime: a First Year Strategy", on promoting the use of vehicle perimeter security and laminate glazing; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 2 December 2003
	The Home Office New Car Security Guidance published in 1998 encouraged manufacturers to make further improvements in car security. This included more widespread fitting of laminated glazing on side and rear windows which could resist attack by methods commonly used by criminals for a minimum of 30 seconds; and locks that could resist criminal attack for a minimum of two minutes.
	We aim to raise motorists awareness of the value of better perimeter security through Home Office publicity material, particularly the booklet "Steer Clear of Car Crime" and our website www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk. We have also worked with the AA Motoring Trust, the Department for Transport (DfT) and the insurance industry to translate the insurers' security assessments used for insurance group ratings into a five star rating system (available on www.ncsr.co.uk). This allows car buyers to compare the ability of different makes and models of cars to resist theft, both of the car and of its contents. The insurance industry now also provides similar information in relation to vans and trucks. We help raise motorists' awareness of all this information through links from Home Office and Department for Transport websites.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Ascension Island

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many acres of land are occupied by the United States on (a) Wide Awake airfield and (b) Ascension Island; and how many acres of land the United States lease in addition to Wide Awake airfield from (i) the UK Government and (ii) the Ascension Island Government for their exclusive use and at no rent.

Mike O'Brien: The United States occupy 1,196 acres for Wide Awake Airfield and 2,404 additional acres of land on Ascension Island, making a total of 3,600 acres. This land is provided, rent-free, under the terms of the 1956 Bahamas Long Range Proving Ground Agreement (and subsequent Exchanges of Notes) between the United Kingdom and the United States. There are no Agreements between the United States and the Ascension Island Government.

Commonwealth Summit

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with his counterpart from Nigeria concerning the attendance of Zimbabwean officials at the Commonwealth Summit to be held in Abuja in December; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I hope to meet the Nigerian Foreign Minister during Her Majesty's pre-CHOGM State Visit to Nigeria. The Deputy Prime Minister spoke to President Obasanjo about Zimbabwe in the margins of the latter's inauguration in May. I met President Obasanjo in New York in September during which we discussed Zimbabwe. Our High Commissioner in Abuja has made our position on Zimbabwe clear to the President and other leading Nigerian politicians and officials on many occasions. We have also made the Nigerian High Commission in London aware of our position. President Obasanjo has announced that Zimbabwe will not be invited to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Gibraltar

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has for celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of British rule in Gibraltar; what plans his Department has to promote the anniversary; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I refer the right hon. Member to the statement of the Government's intentions on this matter given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence during his intervention in the debate on the Gracious Speech on 27 November 2003, Official Report, columns 224–25.

United States

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with its US counterparts about the US Blue Lantern end-use monitoring programme; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 202W.

War on Terrorism

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the conflict in Iraq on the war on terrorism.

Denis MacShane: International co-operation has had and is continuing to have a substantial negative effect on al-Qaeda and associated groups. This co-operation has not been affected by coalition action in Iraq and is continuing at a high level. The establishment of a stable, democratic Iraq enjoying the proper rule of law will be Iraq's best defence against terrorism and will more effectively defeat the cause of al-Qaeda and other international terrorist groups.

HEALTH

Ambulances

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all ambulances are required to carry at least one paramedic on every call.

Rosie Winterton: Current departmental guidance requires that front line ambulances should have a paramedic if responding to an emergency call. Ambulances answering urgent or non-emergency calls are not required to have a paramedic crew member.

Alcohol Misuse

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of changes in the level of alcohol abuse among young women; and what measures he will take to reduce it.

Melanie Johnson: Data on the level of alcohol abuse among young women are shown in the table. This suggests that, although a cause for concern, the numbers remain constant.
	
		Drinking last week among women aged 16 to 24, England, 1998 to 2001 -- Percentages
		
			  1998 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Drank nothing last week 38 38 41 
			 Drank up to three units on at least one day 20 23 20 
			 Drank more than three and up to six units on at least one day 19 13 13 
			 Drank more than six units on at least one day 23 26 26 
		
	
	Source:
	Derived from Office for National Statistics: General Household Survey, published as "Living in Britain, Results from the 2001 General Household Survey", available at: http://www. statistics.gov.uk/lib2001/index.html
	Alcohol use and misuse among young women will be examined as part of the work on the development of the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England. The strategy will be published in time for implementation to begin in 2004, in line with the commitment given by the Government in the NHS Plan.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes related to alcoholic liver disease there were in (a) England and (b) each region in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The number of finished consultant episodes related to alcoholic liver disease within national health service hospitals by region and nationally are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Region of treatment 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Y00 Not known 2 — — — — 
			 Y01 Northern and Yorkshire Regional Office 1,700 1,934 2,030 2,272 2,323 
			 Y02 Trent Regional Office 1,143 1,256 1,588 1,795 1,765 
			 Y03 Anglia and Oxford Regional Office 1,033 1,180 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Y04 North Thames Regional Office 1,795 1,640 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Y05 South Thames Regional Office 1,504 1,620 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Y06 South and West Regional Office 1,555 1,741 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Y07 West Midlands Regional Office 1,688 1,786 1,857 1,907 1,982 
			 Y08 North and West Regional Office 2,627 2,532 2,985 3,226 3,600 
			 Y09 Eastern Regional Office n/a n/a 1,348 1,588 1,696 
			 Y10 London Regional Office n/a n/a 2,273 2,255 2,284 
			 Y11 South East Regional Office n/a n/a 1,872 1,796 2,055 
			 Y12 South West Regional Office n/a n/a 1,419 1,583 1,701 
			 England 13,047 13,689 15,372 16,422 17,406 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bed days relating to alcoholic liver disease there were in England in 1997–98.

Melanie Johnson: The number of bed days in national health service hospitals in England in 1997–98, where patients were admitted with a primary diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease, was 106,943.

Cancer Care

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in meeting targets set by the National Cancer Plan.

Melanie Johnson: Thanks to major additional investment and the hard work of those working in the national health service, we are making real progress in implementing the NHS Cancer Plan and patients are benefiting from improvements across all aspects of cancer care.
	For example, there are an extra 941 cancer consultants compared with 1997; nearly 99 per cent. of people with suspected cancer are now seen by a specialist within two weeks of being referred by their general practitioner; we have improved the quality of breast screening by the introduction of two view mammography and are extending the breast screening service to include women aged 65 to 70. This has resulted in nearly 200,000 extra women being invited for breast screening since April 2001. Since April 2000, we have delivered over 950 of the most modern pieces of equipment to diagnose and treat cancer to hospitals. We have increased the NHS funding of specialist palliative care by £50 million a year, an increase of nearly 40 per cent., and latest figures show a reduction of 10 per cent. in the death rate from cancer.

Cancer Care

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on radiotherapy capacity in the UK relative to that in other European countries.

Melanie Johnson: The Department is aware of the recent Royal College of Radiologists publication on radiotherapy capacity, which included a selective comparison with three European countries. It provided data on 'megavoltage machines' (including cobalt units) rather than linear accelerators (linacs). Linacs in England are provided with modern treatment facilities as standard, rather than older cobalt units.
	The number of linacs installed is projected to increase from 140 in 1997 to over 200 by the end of 2004 through central funding, in line with the commitment in the NHS Cancer Plan to achieve four linacs per million population.

Cancer Care

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to increase radiotherapy capacity in line with increased demand.

Melanie Johnson: Access to radiotherapy equipment has improved steadily since 1997. The number of linear accelerators (linacs) installed is projected to increase from 140 in 1997 to over 200 by the end of 2004 through central funding, in line with the commitment in the NHS Cancer Plan to achieve four linacs per million population.
	Capacity and demand projections are being determined locally by cancer networks alongside local stakeholders.

Carers

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the administrative costs of the voucher system for Carers' Short Breaks; and what proportion they are of the total spending;
	(2)  how much funding was allocated this financial year for the Carers' Short Break scheme; and what proportion of this has been spent on voucher schemes;
	(3)  when his Department will review the operation of the vouchers available under the Carers' Short Break scheme, introduced in May 2003.

Stephen Ladyman: Under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, councils have discretion to establish short break voucher schemes for carers. The intention is that flexible schemes should be developed in consultation with stakeholders according to local need. Voucher schemes will be attractive to some carers, but it is not the intention that all breaks services should be delivered through vouchers. Vouchers were introduced to widen the choice available to carers.
	In 2003–04, the Carers Grant is worth £100 million to support councils in the provision of breaks and services direct to carers. The conditions of the grant ensure that the majority of this money is for flexible breaks services. Information about the proportion of this sum, that is delivered through vouchers, is not held centrally.
	The Government have no current plans to review the operation of voucher schemes.

Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 10 October from the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam concerning continuing care.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 1 December 2003
	The reply was sent on 25 November 2003.

Correspondence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 15 September, from the hon. Member for Billericay, regarding the group known as Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure.

Melanie Johnson: A response was sent to the hon. Member on 27 November 2003.

Debt Payment

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims for statutory interest payments have been submitted to his Department under the terms of the Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act 1998; how many claims were met; and what the total value was of such payments in each year since the Act has been in operation.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not received any claims for interest under the terms of the Late Payment of Commercial Debt Act 1998, and no interest has been paid since the Act came into force on 1 November 1998.

Dockyard Radiation Workers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has (a) initiated and (b) evaluated on the possible leukaemia threat to the children of dockyard radiation workers.

Melanie Johnson: The Department is funding an investigation of the geographical distribution of childhood cancer and leukaemia in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and how the pattern of cases around nuclear installations compares with the national pattern.
	When the study is complete, the Department will ask the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) to advise on which, if any, nuclear installations in Great Britain have incidences of childhood cancer and leukaemia in their vicinity which are statistically outside the distribution seen nationally. COMARE is hoping to report on this aspect of the study to the Department in 2004. The study includes all cases of childhood cancer registered from the 1960s up to the late 1990s, and will include the children of dockyard radiation workers.

Food Supplements

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the EU meetings held in 2003 which (a) Ministers and (b) officials from the Department have attended where the maximum permitted level of nutrients in food supplements was discussed; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The European Commission has not yet made a proposal listing European Union maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements and we do not expect it to do so for another two to three years. There have been no EU meetings dedicated to the discussion of these levels in 2003.
	Until discussions on a formal proposal begin, the United Kingdom will continue to take every opportunity to press its view that maximum levels should be set on a safety basis. To this end, the UK is using its influence in both scientific and political forums. In 2003, Food Standards Agency officials attended two scientific meetings at which maximum permitted levels were discussed in the context of risk assessment and the UK approach was clearly stated on both occasions.
	I intend to raise this issue with Ministers in other member states as and when appropriate, although no specific discussions have taken place in 2003. I am also seeking to arrange a meeting with Commissioner David Byrne at the earliest practical opportunity.

Influenza

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to (a) acquire and (b) store drugs to treat influenza.

Melanie Johnson: General practitioners order their own supply of flu vaccine direct from one of the six suppliers of vaccine this year, based on the timing of their flu clinics and storage capabilities.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) benefit for use in the NHS of FluMist as a vaccine for influenza.

Melanie Johnson: FluMist is not currently licensed for use in Europe or the United Kingdom.

Intensive Care

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds were available in the NHS on (a) 1 April and (b) the latest date for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 December 2003
	A census of critical care beds is conducted twice every year in January and July. The latest figures available for 2003 are shown in the table.
	
		Open and staffed adult critical care provision on census day—NHS Organisations, England 
		
			  Level 3 Level 2 Total 
			 Census Day Intensive Care High Dependency critical care 
		
		
			 15 January 2003 1,746 1,351 3,097 
			 16 July 2003 1,731 1,397 3,128 
		
	
	The census on critical care provision is a snapshot of the number of beds open, available and staffed for critically ill patients at a point in time. As a result, both the overall number of beds and the number of level 3 (equivalent of intensive care) and level 2 (equivalent of high dependency) beds will fluctuate from day-to-day and hour-to-hour, according to patient need and staff availability.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what programmes are in place for training doctors in treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Stephen Ladyman: Responsibility for the content, standards, management and delivery of medical education is shared between regulatory bodies, for example, the General Medical Council and the Specialist Training Authority, professional bodies, notably the medical Royal Colleges, universities, the Department and the national health service. We expect that these bodies will take account of the latest developments in medicine when developing their syllabuses.
	General practitioners are expected to keep their professional skills up-to-date, and learning will always continue even if formal training has ceased.
	We are however taking steps to improve services for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). On 12 May 2003, my right hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith), announced pump priming funding of £8.5 million to develop services for people with CFS/ME.
	The Medical Research Council published a research strategy for CFS/ME on 1 May 2003. The strategy will enable researchers and funders to develop research proposals on all aspects of this illness. It was developed by an independent research advisory group in response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer, and was informed by contributions from patients, carers, charities, researchers and clinicians via a consultation exercise in summer 2002.

Multiple Sclerosis

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 November 2003, Official Report, column 136W, on multiple sclerosis, if he will break down by nominated prescribing centres (a) the MS patients receiving treatment as at 10 November 2003 and (b) the MS patients waiting to be assessed for treatment with disease modifying therapies; and if he will make a statement on significant differences between health authorities in the prescribing of beta interferon.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 2 December 2003
	We do not hold appropriate data to provide such a breakdown. It is estimated that at the end of October 2003, about 7,000 patients were being treated with a disease modifying treatment for their multiple sclerosis.

National Service Framework

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress towards the development of the National Service Framework for long-term conditions.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 2 December 2003
	The national service framework (NSF) for long term conditions will focus on improving the standard of neurology services across England. It will also address some of the generic issues that are important to people with non-neurological disabilities, such as access to rehabilitation services; provision of good quality information; support for carers; and, access to community equipment, assistive technology and wheelchairs.
	We appointed the external reference group last November and have since set up several working groups which have been making recommendations and considering areas and issues for proposed standards. We are making good progress and currently plan to publish the NSF at the end of next year for implementation from 2005.

Nursing Homes

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of people in nursing homes are in each costings band; what determines which band people are placed in; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: This information is not collected centrally. National health service nurses are responsible for assessing the band or level of input from a registered nurse to someone's care in a care home.

Sexual Health

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) males and (b) females were diagnosed with (i) syphilis, (ii) gonorrhoea, (iii) chlamydia (uncomplicated), (iv) herpes (first incidence), (v) genital warts (first incidence), (vi) HIV/AIDS, (vii) trichomonas vaginalis and (viii) non-specific urethritis in each year from 1996 to the latest available date; and what the percentage change in the number of people diagnosed with each condition was in each year.

Melanie Johnson: The number of diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia (uncomplicated), herpes (first incidence), genital warts (first incidence), trichomoniasis vaginalis and non-specific urethritis diagnosed in genitourinary medicine clinics in England between 1996 and 2002 are shown in table 1. The number of new diagnoses of HIV infection in England made to the Health Protection Agency, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre over the same period are shown in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Sexually Transmitted Disease data for England correct as at 28 November 2003
		
			  1996 1997 % change 1996–97 1998 % change 1997–98 1999 % change 1998–99 
		
		
			  Primary and secondary infectious syphilis(12)   
			 Male (all) 84 98 +17 87 -11 156 +79 
			 Female 32 49 +53 44 -10 55 +25 
			 Total 116 147 +27 131 -11 211 +61 
			 
			 Early latent syphilis (first two years)(12)  
			 Male (all) 88 77 -13 87 +13 122 +40 
			 Female 57 55 -4 58 +5 75 +29 
			 Total 145 132 -9 145 +10 197 +36 
			 
			 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea  
			 Male (all) 7,911 8,418 + 6 8,446 0 10,677 +26 
			 Female 3,977 3,981 0 4,089 +3 4,880 +19 
			 Total 11,888 12,399 +4 12,535 +1 15,557 +24 
			 
			 Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection  
			 Male (all) 13,946 16,180 +16 18,937 +17 21,808 +15 
			 Female 18,526 22,659 +22 24,975 +10 29,196 +17 
			 Total 32,472 38,839 +20 43,912 +13 51,004 +16 
			 
			  Uncomplicated non-gonococcal/non-specific urethritis in males  
			 Male (all) 46,781 48,677 +4 51,951 +7 53,333 +3 
			 Female — — — — — — — 
			 Total 46,781 48,677 +4 51,951 +7 53,333 +3 
			 
			 Trichomoniasis
			 Male (all) 242 255 +5 298 +17 641 +115 
			 Female 5,360 5,713 +7 5,877 +3 5,448 -7 
			 Total 5,602 5,968 +7 6,175 +3 6,089 -1 
			 
			 Genital herpes simplex—first attack  
			 Male (all) 5,755 5,597 -3 6,140 +10 6,039 -2 
			 Female 9,453 9,482 0 9,675 +2 9,852 +2 
			 Total 15,208 15,079 -1 15,815 +5 15,891 0 
			 
			 Genital warts—first attack  
			 Male (all) 27,113 30,239 +12 30,782 +2 31,908 +4 
			 Female 27,583 28,472 +3 28,899 +1 29,322 +1 
			 Total 54,696 58,711 +7 59,681 +2 61,230 +3 
		
	
	
		
			 Diagnoses 2000 % change 1999–2000 2001 % change 2000–01 2002 % change 2001–02 
		
		
			 Primary and secondary infectious syphilis(12)
			 Male (all) 247 +58 618 +150 1,062 +72 
			 Female 75 +36 99 +32 137 +38 
			 Total 322 +53 717 +123 1,199 +67 
			
			 Early latent syphilis (first two years)(12) 
			 Male (all) 126 +3 268 +113 331 +24 
			 Female 93 +24 99 +6 121 +22 
			 Total 219 +11 367 +68 452 +23 
			
			 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea 
			 Male (all) 14,290 +34 15,666 +10 16,980 +8 
			 Female 6,225 +28 6,747 +8 7,417 +10 
			 Total 20,515 +32 22,413 +9 24,397 +9 
			
			 Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection
			 Male (all) 26,632 +22 29,602 +11 34,341 +16 
			 Female 34,815 +19 38,644 +11 43,796 +13 
			 Total 61,447 +20 68,246 +11 78,137 +14 
			
			  Uncomplicated non-gonococcal/non-specific urethritis in males 
			 Male (all) 56,147 +5 59,677 +6 62,068 +4 
			 Female — — — — — — 
			 Total 56,147 +5 59,677 +6 62,068 +4 
			
			 Trichomoniasis   
			 Male (all) 731 +14 733 0 571 22 
			 Female 6,036 +11 6,282 +4 6,639 +6 
			 Total 6,767 +11 7,015 +4 7,210 +3 
			
			 Genital herpes simplex—first attack 
			 Male (all) 6,190 +3 6,507 +5 6,526 0 
			 Female 9,976 +1 10,575 +6 10,990 +4 
			 Total 16,166 +2 17,082 +6 17,516 +3 
			
			 Genital warts—first attack 
			 Male (all) 32,067 +0 32,819 +2 34,006 +4 
			 Female 28,711 -2 29,777 +4 29,992 +1 
			 Total 60,778 -1 62,596 +3 63,998 +2 
		
	
	(12) Numbers will increase, particularly for recent years as late reports are received.
	Notes:
	Numbers of diagnoses of syphilis, broken down into:
	(a) Primary and secondary infectious syphilis
	(b) Latent syphilis in the first two years of infection
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency.
	
		Table 2: Number of new diagnoses of HIV infection in England by sex and year of diagnosis
		
			 Sex 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(13) 2002(13) 
		
		
			 Males 1,937 1,895 1,914 1,979 2,298 2,882 3,112 
			 Percentage increase from previous year — -2.2 1 3.4 16.1 25.4 8 
			 Females 537 613 703 895 1315 1,849 2,281 
			 Percentage increase from previous year — 14.2 14.7 27.3 46.9 40.6 23.4 
			 Total(14) 2,474 2,509 2,618 2,876 3,613 4,731 5,393 
			 Percentage increase from previous year — 1.4 4.3 9.9 25.6 30.9 14 
		
	
	(13) Numbers will increase, particularly for recent years as late reports are received.
	(14) Totals include (four) individuals where sex was not reported.
	Note:
	Data are as reported to the end of September 2003
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency

WORK AND PENSIONS

Age Discrimination

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times the Ministerial Group for Older People and Age Discrimination has met in the last 12 months.

Malcolm Wicks: It has been established practice under successive Governments not to disclose information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet Committees. This is covered by Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets Child Support Agency staff have for the transfer of old CSA cases to the new scheme.

Chris Pond: There are no Public Service Agreement or Secretary of State's operational performance targets for the transfer of old cases to the new scheme. We will make a decision on the transfer of old scheme cases only once we are sure that the new scheme is working well.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will put inactive Child Support Agency cases waiting to be transferred from the old to the new scheme into abeyance; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: Plans for transferring the old scheme caseload to the new scheme have yet to be finalised.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the mechanisms for phasing in child support payments by people who transfer to the new scheme.

Chris Pond: To give parents who have existing child support assessments time to adjust to the new amounts, child support liability will be phased over a period of five years and in stages of £2.50, £5 or £10, depending on the non-resident parent's net weekly income.

Community Care Grants

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many applications were made for community care grants in each of the last six years in (a) Orkney and Shetland and (b) Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland District; what proportion of applications were rejected; what proportion were considered (i) high, (ii) medium and (iii) low priority; what proportion of high priority, medium priority and low priority awards were paid; and what the average amount (A) applied for, (B) awarded and (C) paid was in each category of priority;
	(2)  what the Social Fund Budget for community care grants was in (a) Orkney and Shetland and (b) Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland District in the last six years in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; how much the budget has been overspent or underspent; and what the value was of in-year allocations for each year.

Chris Pond: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Community Care Grant applications received and proportions refused for Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland Jobcentre Plus District (previously Grampian and Shetland) in each of the last six years
		
			  District Applications received Proportion refused (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997–98 Grampian and Shetland 6,760 79.3 
			 1998–99 Grampian and Shetland 7,010 79.2 
			 1999–2000 Grampian and Shetland 4,160 64.8 
			 2000–01 Grampian and Shetland 3,890 62.9 
			 2001–02 Grampian and Shetland 3,730 55.1 
			 April to October 2002 Grampian and Shetland 2,110 62.4 
			 November 2002 Area covered by new district 370 39.4 
			 December 2002 to March 2003 Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland 1,480 55.4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. In November 2002, the Jobcentre Plus district of Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland was formed by combining Grampian and Shetland Social Fund district with part of Highlands and Islands Social Fund district. For the months before the boundary change as a whole data are given for the old district, for the month of the boundary change data is given for the area covered by the new district, and for the months after the boundary change as a whole data is given for the new district. Data are not available for part months.
	2. Data are not available by parliamentary constituency or local authority.
	3. Prior to April 1999, it was possible to make a dual application for a Community Care Grant (CCG) and for a Budgeting Loan (BL). One dual application is counted as one application for a CCG and one for a BL.
	4. The number of applications is rounded to the nearest 10.
	5. When an application is refused, no award is made. Figures refer to initial decisions only.
	6. The data requested on CCG priority are not available.
	Source:
	All data are taken from the Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.
	
		Community Care Grants budget for Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland Jobcentre Plus District (previously Grampian and Shetland) in each of the last six years -- £
		
			  Original budget (cash terms) Boundary change reallocation(cash terms) Original budget (real terms) Boundary change reallocation(real terms) Underspend(cash terms) 
		
		
			 1997–98 564,620 0 633,856 0 146 
			 1998–99 570,865 0 623,848 0 1,251 
			 1999–2000 570,865 0 612,542 0 387 
			 2000–01 577,970 0 609,660 0 1,733 
			 2001–02 589,529 0 606,330 0 3,760 
			 2002–03 632,989 69,727 632,989 69,727 97 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest pound.
	2. Real term costs are based on the GDP deflator and are expressed at 2002–03 values.
	3. There were no allocations of contingency funds to this district during this period.
	4. There were no overspends during this period.
	5. In November 2002, the Jobcentre Plus district of Grampian, Moray, Orkney and Shetland was formed by combining Grampian and Shetland Social Fund district with part of Highlands and Islands district.
	6. Data are not available by parliamentary constituency or local authority.
	Source:
	All data are taken from the Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.

Pension Credit (Christchurch)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Christchurch constituency are in receipt of Pension Credit.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 17 October 2003, the number of pensioner households receiving Pension Credit in Christchurch constituency was 2,685.
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures are based on 100 per cent. Generalised Matching Service (CMS) data.
	3. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample.

Pensions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the means-testing of pensions.

Malcolm Wicks: Under Pension Credit pensioners are subject to a new form of assessment, which is much less intrusive and burdensome. Pension Credit has removed the old weekly means test. Instead, most pensioners aged 65 and over have their award fixed for five years and have to tell us only about major changes in their circumstances.
	Around half of all pensioner households are eligible for Pension Credit and other income related benefits, and stand to gain, on average, £400 a year. Our priority is to target help on the poorest pensioners and there are already over 1.2 million pensioner households (around 1.4 million individuals) getting more money than they did before.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

European Union Citizenship

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs under which Act of Parliament citizens of the United Kingdom became citizens of the European Union; and on what electoral mandate.

Christopher Leslie: Article 17 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union (the Maastricht Treaty) and by the Treaty of Amsterdam, provides that any person holding the nationality of a member state is also a citizen of the European Union. The amended Treaty is given effect in the United Kingdom by the European Communities Act 1972.

Magistrates

Graham Allen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many lay magistrates live in each constituency in the East Midlands region.

Christopher Leslie: Statistical data for the magistracy are recorded by Commission Area and Bench rather than constituency. The numbers of magistrates in the Commission Areas comprising the East Midlands constituencies are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 425 
			 Leicestershire 511 
			 Lincolnshire 381 
			 Northamptonshire 344 
			 Nottinghamshire 664

Magistrates

Graham Allen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the number of magistrates from working class constituencies.

Christopher Leslie: On 7 October 2003 the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor published his National Strategy for the Recruitment of Lay Magistrates. One of the key aims of this strategy is to recruit magistrates from under-represented groups, including those from working class communities, and by doing so to improve the diversity of local benches. A more accurate way of determining the socio-economic balance of the bench, and of applicants, has been put in place. Various recruitment initiatives are being tried, including targeting community and social groups, local employers and trade union organisations. A regional bus advertising campaign began on 3 November highlighting the need for magistrates from all walks of life. The local Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace actively attempt to recruit from under-represented sectors by approaching relevant special interest groups and advertising in community and trade media.

Polling Stations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action his Department has taken to raise awareness of the need for accessibility to polling stations.

Christopher Leslie: Local authorities are responsible for designating polling places and for keeping them under review. They are obliged, so far as it is reasonable and practicable, to designate as polling places only places which are accessible to disabled people. National minimum standards for access were re-issued to electoral administrators for the general election. Administrators can also apply for grants from central funds to purchase temporary ramps to improve polling station accessibility and are encouraged by my Department to do so.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

City Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) capital and (b) revenue support was made available for each city academy in (i) 2003–04 and (ii) each of the last two financial years.

David Miliband: Academies are funded comparably with local maintained schools with similar characteristics. The table sets out the revenue funding made available to open Academies in the financial years 2002–03 and 2003–04; there were no open Academies in the financial year 2001–02. The figures include grant to cover annual running costs and the start-up costs associated with opening new schools.
	
		£
		
			 Academy Revenue 2002/03 Revenue 2003/04 
		
		
			 Bexley Business Academy, Bexley 4,244,838 4,232,598 
			 Greig City Academy, Haringey 4,822,377 3,966,945 
			 Unity City Academy, Middlesbrough 5,705,520 5,381,861 
			 Capital City Academy, Brent n/a 4,419,823 
			 The City Academy, Bristol n/a 5,437,152 
			 West London Academy, Ealing n/a 4,644,164 
			 Manchester Academy, Manchester n/a 3,516,223 
			 King's Academy, Middlesbrough n/a 5,940,095 
			 Djanogly City Academy, Nottingham n/a 7,293,347 
			 City of London Academy, Southwark n/a 1,868,433 
			 The Academy at Peckham, Southwark n/a 5,998,577 
			 Walsall City Academy, Walsall n/a 2,927,266 
		
	
	Capital funding made available to open Academies, outside of the initial build or refurbishments costs, are made through the devolved capital Standards Fund and are administered by the Academies local LEA in the same way as for maintained schools. The Department does not hold records of these individual allocations as they are the responsibility of the LEA.

City Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will set out the funding formula used to calculate amounts payable to city academies.

David Miliband: holding answer 1 December 2003
	Academies are funded comparably to local authority maintained schools, with similar characteristics, in their local area. The main elements of Academies funding are made up of the following:
	Formula Funding—Funding comparable to the level which would be provided through the funding formula of the LEA in whose area the Academy is situated, to a maintained school which had all of the Academy's characteristics, including the number of pupils;
	LEA Holdback—Funding representing a proportion of the LEA education budget money which the LEA would usually retain for services it provides to maintained schools;
	Specialist Schools Allowance—Funding equivalent to that which a maintained school with the Academy's characteristics would receive in respect of their participation in the specialist schools programme.
	In order to ensure comparability with maintained schools, Academy funding also includes additional elements, these currently include:
	School Standards Grant;
	Teacher Threshold payments—funded on the same basis as maintained schools for all of an Academy's teachers who are entitled to threshold payments;
	LGPS contributions—to cover extra costs being charged to Academies, above those paid by maintained schools, in order to be a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme, due to having a small number of employees partaking in the scheme.

City Academies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what basis sites of city academies were transferred to them from local education authorities.

David Miliband: Sites are transferred from local education authorities to Academies voluntarily, at nil cost. Local education authorities may transfer sites on either a leasehold or a freehold basis. On whichever basis a site is transferred, it will revert to the local education authority in the event that it is no longer required for the purposes of the Academy.

Education (North West)

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of young people in (a) St. Helens, (b) Merseyside and (c) the North West achieved one or more A Level passes in (i) 1992, (ii) 1997, (iii) 2001 and (iv) the last year for which figures are available.

David Miliband: The proportion of 16 to 18-year-old students in (a) St. Helens, (b) Merseyside, and (c) the North West region who achieved one or more A Level (and equivalent) passes in 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2003 in all maintained schools and further education sector colleges are:
	
		
			  1992 1997 2001 2003 
		
		
			  
			  
			 (a) St. Helens 86.9 91.8 96.2 93.1 
			 (b) Merseyside 85.5 92.9 93.7 94.5 
			 (c) North West 88.3 93.7 94.6 95.4 
		
	
	Figures for 2003 are provisional. Revised figures will be published in January 2004. Qualifying for Success reforms were introduced in September 2000, thus A Level results for 2001 were the first year in which the impact of these reforms became apparent. Further information about the effect of the Qualifying for Success reforms can be found in the Statistical Bulletin, "GCSE/GNVQ and GCE A/AS/VCE/AGNVQ Examination Results 2000/01—England", published on the Department's website in May 2002 (http://www. dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SBU/b000334/index.shtml).

Education (North West)

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of children in (a) St. Helens, (b) the North West and (c) England remained in education after completion of their GCSEs in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The percentage of 16-year-olds participating in full-time education, and in education and training, in St. Helens local education authority, the North West Region and in England for end 1997 to end 2000, the latest available year, are shown in the following table:
	
		Participation by 16-year-olds
		
			  End 1997 End 1998 End 1999 End 2000 
		
		
			  Full-time education   
			 St. Helens 73 72 73 75 
			 North West 65 65 67 68 
			 England 70 70 71 71 
			  Education and training   
			 St. Helens (15)n/a 88 84 86 
			 North West 84 82 82 82 
			 England 84 83 83 83 
		
	
	(15) Education and training figures by LEA were first published for 1998.
	Participation rates by LEA for 16 and 17-year-olds are published in an annual statistical bulletin, "Participation in Education and Training by Young People Aged 16 and 17 in Each Local Area and Region, England".

Education Spending

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will break down by local education authority, (a) in descending order of share and (b) alphabetically, the average (i) primary and (ii) secondary formula spending share per pupil in each local education authority in England and Wales for 2004–05.

David Miliband: holding answer 1 December 2003
	The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Education, Youth and Culture Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the outcome was of the Education, Youth and Culture Council held on 24 and 25 November 2003; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: I attended the Education session of this Council. Peter Peacock, Minister for Education and Young People at the Scottish Executive, also attended, and led on Youth issues.
	The Council adopted the Erasmus Mundus and eLearning Programmes. Erasmus Mundus aims to provide higher education institutions with scholarships, offering further opportunities to attract overseas students, helping them to forge partnerships within existing EU countries and with third countries. The eLearning Programme has four priority areas: addressing the digital divide, promoting virtual universities, encouraging school twinning via the internet and promoting other transversal actions under, for example, the Commission's eLearning Action Plan.
	The Council adopted a Common Position after first reading on the Decision to provide grants to European organisations active in the field of education and training. A budget of Euro77 million for 2004–06 had already been agreed with the European Parliament. The programme will now go to Second Reading.
	Ministers adopted a Council Resolution on the importance of combating early school leaving and disaffection among young people. This encourages further work by member states on making learning more attractive and keeping young people engaged in learning.
	Ministers also adopted Council Conclusions on human capital, which urge member states and the Commission to focus work on more effective investment on education and training.
	The Commission presented its Languages Action Plan, which proposes action at member state and Community level for 2004–06.
	The Commission's draft Interim Report on the detailed work programme on the follow-up to the Lisbon Objectives on education and training systems in Europe was the main focus of discussion. A report on this will be submitted jointly by the Council and the Commission to the 2004 Spring Council.
	Ministers discussed the Presidency's paper on the future of EU Youth policy, and adopted a Council Resolution setting out member states' commitment to help young people participate in society, particularly in political processes. The Resolution also commits member states to report to the Commission on progress against the objectives by the end of 2005.
	Ministers adopted a Common Position after first reading on the Decision to provide grants to European organisations promoting youth activities. A budget Euro13 million for 2004–06 had already been agreed with the European Parliament. The programme will go to second reading.
	A copy of the Council Minutes will be placed in the Library in due course.

GCSE Examinations

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of 15-year-olds in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England and Wales achieved (i) five or more A* to C GCSE grades and (ii) five or more GCSE passes in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what proportion of 15 and 16-year-olds in (a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) England and Wales were entered for GCSE examinations in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The statistical information requested is detailed in the following table:
	
		Percentage
		
			 Academic year East Riding of Yorkshire England Wales(16) 
		
		
			  Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(17) achieving five or more grades A*-C 
			 1997 44.3 45.1 — 
			 1998 47.0 46.3 46 
			 1999 48.7 47.9 48 
			 2000 49.9 49.2 49 
			 2001 50.1 50.0 50 
			 2002 49.7 51.6 50 
			 2003 (provisional)(18) 50.9 52.6 51  
			  Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(17) achieving five or more grades A*-G 
			 1997 90.8 86.4 — 
			 1998 90.5 87.5 82 
			 1999 91.9 88.5 83 
			 2000 91.3 88.9 85 
			 2001 91.5 88.9 85 
			 2002 90.7 88.9 85 
			 2003 (provisional)(18) 91.6 88.6 85 
			 
			  Percentage of 15-year-old pupils(17) attempting at least one GCSE/GNVQ 
			 1997 95.8 94.0 — 
			 1998 95.8 94.8 96 
			 1999 96.4 95.0 97 
			 2000 95.8 95.5 97 
			 2001 95.8 95.7 97 
			 2002 95.6 95.9 97 
			 2003 (provisional)(18) 96.5 96.0 97 
		
	
	(16) Figures for Wales were obtained from the National Assembly for Wales's website
	(17) Pupils are aged 15 at the start of the academic year ie 31 August
	(18) These provisional figures exclude any adjustments for refugees, which may affect the LEA averages

Higher Education Funding

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which higher education institutions have had funding for a specific area of research activity withdrawn in the past three years.

Alan Johnson: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocates research funding selectively to universities according to the quality and volume of their research activity as measured in periodic Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs). Institutions receive this funding as block grant and are free to determine their own research focus. The volume of research achieving top quality ratings sharply increased in the 2001 RAE. HEFCE has modified its funding formula to refocus available resources on this highest quality work to ensure our research remains globally competitive.

Legislation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pages of (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation his Department put through Parliament in 2002–03.

Charles Clarke: In 2002–03, the Department for Education and Skills put through Parliament:
	(a) no pages of primary legislation; and
	(b) 925 pages of secondary legislation.

PG Materials (School Screening)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he has sought from church authorities on the screening of PG material in schools.

David Miliband: No guidance has been sought from church authorities on the screening of PG material, or any other teaching or leisure materials, in schools as the Department does not issue guidance on the use of these materials in schools. Decisions over the use of such materials in schools are left to the professional judgment of teachers.

School Attendance

George Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils are in (a) private and independent and (b) state schools.

David Miliband: As at January 2003, there were almost 8.4 million pupils across all schools in England. Of these pupils, some 7.0 per cent. were in independent schools, 92.7 per cent. were in maintained schools 1 and 0.3 per cent. were in other schools 2 .
	1 Includes maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools as well as pupil referral units.
	2 Includes non-maintained special schools, city technology colleges and academies.

School Autonomy

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications he has received from schools for autonomy under the provisions of the Education Bill; how many of these he has approved; and in which areas autonomy was sought in each case.

David Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Green) on 6 October 2003, Official Report, column 1131W.

School Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what formula is used to determine the formula spending share for each school.

David Miliband: The funding for each school will depend on a number of factors covering both central and local government responsibility. Central Government uses the Education Formula Spending Share formula to allocate education funding for each local education authority. This formula comprises a basic entitlement for each pupil plus top-ups for deprivation and where it costs more to recruit and retain teachers, using data from the New Earnings Survey. The deprivation measures used are (i) children in families in receipt of Income Support; (ii) children in families in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit; (iii) proportion of primary children with English as an additional language and (iv) proportion of secondary children in low-achieving ethnic groups. The primary sub-block and LEA central functions sub-block also include a sparsity factor.
	Local education authorities, in consultation with their schools and in accordance with regulations, then decide how much funding to put into the Schools Budget and what factors to use in the local fair funding formula, which allocates funding to individual schools.

Student Finance

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he intends to publish the results of the student income and expenditure survey for the 2002/03 academic year.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 2 December 2003
	The Department published the 2002/03 Student Income and Expenditure Survey on 18 November 2003. The full report can be found on the Department's website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/research/

Student Finance

Alan Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the 1979 level of student grant would be at today's prices.

Alan Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Rates of Standard Maintenance Grant payable under a mandatory award(19) academic year 1979/80(20) uprated to 2003/04 prices(21)
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Parental home 2,969 
			 London rate 4,476 
			 Elsewhere rate(22) 3,753 
			 Board/lodging(23) 1,552 
		
	
	(19) The rate of maintenance grant, before income assessment, applicable to students normally domiciled in England and Wales and studying in the UK.
	(20) In 1979/80 a minimum maintenance grant of £335 (£1,010 in 2003/04 prices) was available to all students.
	(21) In 2003/04 prices based on the September RPI, excluding mortgage interest payments, at the beginning of the academic year.
	(22) The 'elsewhere' rate of grant is applicable to students living away from home and studying outside London.
	(23) Special grant arrangements applied to students provided with free board and lodging by their college.

Teacher Vacancies (Suffolk)

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many (a) middle and (b) upper school teacher vacancies there have been in Suffolk in each year since 1996–97; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many primary school teacher vacancies there were in Suffolk in each year since 1996–97; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Information on teacher vacancies is available for nursery, primary and secondary schools. The data for Suffolk Local Education Authority are given in the table.
	
		Vacancies(24)
		
			  Nursery/Primary Secondary 
		
		
			 1997 15 15 
			 1998 8 14 
			 1999 14 17 
			 2000 8 11 
			 2001 41 47 
			 2002 39 42 
			 2003 6 17 
		
	
	(24) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration).
	Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.
	Source:
	DfES annual form 618G survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies.

Top-up Fees

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the additional amount that would be raised for each higher education establishment by the introduction of top-up fees as set out in the Government's Higher Education White Paper.

Alan Johnson: The White Paper proposes that universities—whose access agreements have been approved—will be able to decide on their own fees, up to a maximum of £3,000. We cannot pre-judge or pre-empt those decisions.
	Therefore, it is not possible to estimate the additional income for each higher education institution: that will, in part, depend on (i) the number of students at that institution and (ii) the fee levels charged at that institution.
	Our latest estimates on additional income for all English higher education institutions are being prepared for the Regulatory Impact Assessment and will be available following its publication.

Top-up Fees

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the impact of the proposed allocation of funding for bursaries on the additional amount that would be raised for each higher education establishment by the introduction of top-up fees as set out in the Government's Higher Education White Paper.

Alan Johnson: We are considering and discussing the contents of access agreements and the duties of the Office for Fair Access, and will make a statement in due course.

PRIME MINISTER

Honours

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received on the renaming of the honours OBE, CBE and MBE; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I regularly receive representations on a wide range of issues including about honours. The names of the various Orders of Chivalry are kept under review, as are other honours matters.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Council Tax

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by how much on average has council tax in the United Kingdom risen since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: Between 1997–98 and 2003–04, the average council tax per dwelling in England has increased by £344 or 61 per cent., from £564 to £908. During the same period, the average B and D council tax in England increased by £414 or 60 per cent., from £688 to £1,102.
	Council tax figures for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Parliament respectively. Council tax does not exist in Northern Ireland.

Education Finance

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what discussions ministers or officials had with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead prior to the decision to limit their formula grant increase to their schools formula spending share increase under the proposed 2004–05 settlement;
	(2)  what assessment his Department made of the impact of the decision to limit the formula grant increase for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to its schools formula spending share increase under the proposed 2004–05 settlement on (a) social services and (b) highways maintenance;
	(3)  if he will set out the basis on which the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead was chosen as one of the 13 local authorities whose formula grant increase will be equal to their schools formula spending share increase under the proposed 2004–05 settlement.

Nick Raynsford: No Minister or official from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister met the authority to discuss our proposals for 2004–05. Representatives of shire unitary authorities and the Local Government Association were involved in discussions on this topic with officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at Settlement Working Group meetings.
	Windsor and Maidenhead stand to benefit by around £1 million from the change to the grant system to give every authority at least as large an increase in Formula Grant as its Schools Formula Spending Share (FSS) increase. Excluding the adjustment for capital, the provisional settlement gives the authority an increase in Formula Grant of 5.0 per cent. compared to the 3.5 per cent. floor increase it would otherwise have received. Any impact on social services, highways maintenance and council tax would therefore be beneficial.
	The basis on which we have given every authority at least as large an increase in Formula Grant as its Schools FSS increase is to calculate the increase in Formula Grant for each authority under the previous floors and ceilings system and compare it to their increase in Schools FSS. We propose that authorities should receive the greater of the two amounts.

Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the capital allocation to the London borough of Islington is in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04 for the construction of houses for rent by (i) the local authority and (ii) Housing Associations through the Housing Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The London borough of Islington received an all-purposes housing Basic Credit Approval of £14.970 million in 2002–03 and £13.607 million in 2003–04. Housing Corporation capital allocations to Islington for housing associations to build new housing for rent were £20.4 million in 2002–03 and £25.387 million in 2003–04.

Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assistance his Department plans to provide to the London borough of Islington to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The assistance the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is providing to the London borough of Islington to meet the Decent Homes standard is as follows:
	a provisional allocation of £24.9 million for the next two years from the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) programme subject to a satisfactory Audit Commission inspection of the ALMO once it is operational;
	credits of £75 million over the 30-year life of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract signed earlier this year;
	an all-purpose housing Basic Credit Approval of £13.607 million in 2003–04;
	a Major Repairs Allowance of £25.545 million in 2003–04.
	In addition, Islington will continue to receive Major Repairs Allowance allocations and all-purpose allocations from The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The authority may also receive further funding to support its ALMO programme and for a second PFI scheme in future years.

Islington Council

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the conduct of the Arm's Length Management organisation ballot by the London borough of Islington; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received a representation from the Federation of Islington Tenants Associations about the conduct of Islington's Arm's Length Management organisation (ALMO) ballot. A reply will be sent in due course.

Islington Council

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what monitoring is being undertaken by his Department into the sale of houses and commercial properties by the London borough of Islington.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister collects and publishes quarterly statistics on sales of council houses and other council dwelling stock in all local authorities, but does not monitor local authority sales of commercial properties.

Local Government Finance

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, 
	(1)  how many (a) mandatory and (b) discretionary disabilities facilities grants local authorities have made in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many mandatory disabilities facilities grants have been issued by local authorities since 18 July 2002;
	(3)  how many times local authorities have supplemented a mandatory disabilities facilities grant since 18 July 2002.

Keith Hill: The numbers of (a) mandatory and (b) discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) paid by local housing authorities in England to private owners and tenants over the past ten years are tabled below. The figures for 2003–04 and 2004–05 are provisional forecasts given to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by English local housing authorities. Discretionary DFG was abolished from July 2003 by the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 and therefore the figures in the "discretionary' column for these two years include largely grants and loans which will be provided under the Order for housing adaptations.
	
		
			  Mandatory Discretionary 
		
		
			 1993–94 16,702 341 
			 1994–95 19,784 384 
			 1995–96 20,036 236 
			 1996–97 19,599 388 
			 1997–98 21,120 871 
			 1998–99 21,584 1,061 
			 1999–2000 21,999 706 
			 2000–01 24,299 432 
			 2001–02 24,894 618 
			 2002–03 29,403 699 
			 2003–04 33,485 1,442 
			 2004–05 33,424 1,372

New Millennium Experience Company

Alan Keen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what use is intended to be made of any surplus released consequent upon the solvent liquidation of the New Millennium Experience Company.

Keith Hill: Use of any Lottery grant money not drawn upon by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will be a matter for the Millennium Commission.

New Millennium Experience Company

Alan Keen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects the completion of the solvent liquidation process for the New Millennium Experience Company.

Keith Hill: Almost all of the issues in the current solvent liquidation have been completed, and all creditors have been paid. Only residual matters are outstanding.
	These issues however are not within the direct control of the New Millennium Experience Company liquidators and as such, it is not possible to predict with any accuracy when they will be resolved.

Planning

Simon Hughes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the Government's policy is on (a) calling in planning applications and (b) reviewing local authority planning decisions where they affect (i) greenfield sites and (ii) semi-natural green belt sites; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the Government's policy is on reviewing local authority planning decisions where they affect greenfield sites and green belt sites where no Environmental Impact Assessment has been made; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's general approach is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of local planning authorities unless it is necessary to do so. Standard policy is to be very selective about calling in planning applications. In general, this step is only taken if planning issues of more than local importance are involved and if those issues need to be decided by my right hon. Friend rather than at a local level. Such cases may include those which: may conflict with national policies on important matters; could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality; give rise to substantial regional or national controversy; raise significant architectural and urban design issues; or may involve the interests of national security of foreign Governments. Each case is, however, considered on its own merits
	The Government's general policy and practice is not to review decisions taken by local authorities on individual planning applications. When a planning application comes before my right hon. Friend, on appeal for example, he will determine it in accordance with the development plan for the area and relevant national planning policies, including Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPG). PPG2 (Green Belts), PPG3 (Housing) and PPG7 (The Countryside) would be particularly relevant in relation to greenfield sites. Where relevant, regard will also be had to the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(England and Wales) Regualtions.

Postal Ballots

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to revise his proposed all-postal ballots to include additional voting systems for the benefit of disabled people.

Phil Hope: One the of the reasons for using remote voting such as all-postal voting is to assist those people who find it inconvenient or difficult to go to polling stations to vote. In its evaluation of the 2003 pilots, the Electoral Commission recommended that staffed delivery points should be provided at both mobile and fixed locations as part of all-postal elections. These offer voter the opportunity to vote in conditions similar to polling stations for those who find it easier or more convenient to do so.
	The Government intend that staffed delivery points will be features of future pilots. Following the successful piloting of innovative processes in the local elections in 2000, 2002 and 2003, the Government plan to ran pilots in the 2004 European parliamentary elections and in any local elections combined with them.
	The Government accept the broad thrust of Electoral Commission's recommendation to roll out of all-postal voting to all local elections and will be consulting on the detailed arrangements shortly. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will also be consulting on the arrangements for the local and regional referendums which we intend to be by all-postal ballot.

Postal Ballots

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations have been made to his Department regarding coercion and secrecy issues in relation to his proposed postal voting systems.

Phil Hope: A number of letters received from members of the public have mentioned concerns about the security and secrecy of all-postal voting. The same concerns were raised by some respondents to the recent consultation on our proposals for holding all-postal pilots at the European parliamentary and any combined local elections in June 2006.

Regional Assemblies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local government (a) systems and (b) administrations would be removed if a region votes in favour of setting up a regional assembly.

Nick Raynsford: Where an elected regional assembly is established, existing two tier local government will be restructured as unitary authorities. Recommendations on options for the unitary structure in a region are a matter for the independent Boundary Committee for England. The Committee might recommend structures based on existing districts, counties or something different. They published their draft recommendations for two tier areas in the three northern regions on 1 December. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.
	Voters living in each two tier area will have a choice between at least two options for a unitary local government structure, in a local referendum held at the same time as the referendum on whether to establish an elected assembly.
	The new unitary authorities will exercise all the functions currently carried out by the county and district councils in the region.

Regional Assemblies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he is using to decide whether or not to grant referendums to regions about proposals for a regional assembly.

Nick Raynsford: The background to and explanation of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's decision to move towards referendums in the three northern regions is laid out in the Government's "Your Region, Your Say" summary of its soundings exercise. This was published on 16 June 2003 and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not propose to hold a further exercise during this Parliament.

Regional Assemblies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requirements need to be met by a region before that region is deemed suitable to have its own regional assembly.

Nick Raynsford: Our White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" made clear that a simple majority yes vote will be needed in a referendum before an elected assembly is established in any region. The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 allows my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to call a referendum once: he has considered the level of interest in the region in holding such a referendum; and the Boundary Committee for England have made recommendations about the structure of local government in that region.

Renewable Energy

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will set out the timetable for the formal consultation on implementing the proposals set out in paragraph 4.31 of the Energy White Paper; whether the outcome of this consultation will be incorporated within the final version of Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy; and what form this consultation will take.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in discussion with other Government Departments, is considering how best to take forward the commitment in paragraph 4.31 of the Energy White Paper to bring consideration of the use of renewables and energy efficiency more within the scope of the planning system. Should the Government decide that PPS22 is the most appropriate means of implementing this commitment, then a public consultation paper will be produced outlining the Government's proposals. If proposals were positively received, then changes would be made to the final version of PPS22.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Working Time Directive

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women what recent assessment she has made of the implications of the Working Time Directive for women's employment.

Patricia Hewitt: In general, as the working time regulations benefit both men and women, studies of the impact of the regulation covers all those who are affected. However, my Department has looked at women's employment since the introduction of the regulations in October 1998. Full-time employment for women grew by 5.7 per cent. from July–September 1998 to July–September 2003 while the average actual hours of full-time women in employment fell by 0.4 hours per week over the same period (from 34.4 hours per week in July–September 1998 to 34.0 hours per week in July– September 2003).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Atomic Energy Authority Visits

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether visits by the International Atomic Energy Authority include (a) military sites, (b) the inspection of military plutonium from Aldermaston stored under safeguards at Sellafield and (c) the inspection of plutonium waste stored at AWE Aldermaston; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The UK's voluntary offer safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Euratom applies to all nuclear material in UK facilities, subject to exclusions for national security reasons only. This means that the IAEA can designate any UK civil nuclear facility, or any part thereof, for safeguards inspection visits but has no right of access to nuclear material required for national security and sites such as Aldermaston. The IAEA therefore has the right to inspect the plutonium stored at Sellafield that was transferred from Aldermaston and brought into safeguards following the conclusion of the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. The IAEA currently chooses to limit its inspections to the plutonium in the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) plutonium product store and the Magnox Special Nuclear Material Store 9. All civil nuclear material in the UK, including the plutonium transferred from Aldermaston to Sellafield, is subject to Euratom safeguards as provided for in Chapter VII of the Euratom Treaty.

Balance of Trade

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the UK's balance of trade figures for trade in goods and services were in each quarter of the last five years.

Mike O'Brien: Information on UK trade goods and services is published monthly by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The latest figures, up to September 2003 were released on 11 November 2003. These Statistics are available from the ONS website, which may be accessed from the Library of the House. I have sent a copy to the hon. Member.

British Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of (a) British Energy's ability to meet its forecast for total UK nuclear output in 2003 and (b) the maintenance of suitable reserves for unplanned outages; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 2 December 2003
	British Energy's forecast output and its reserve for unplanned outages are a matter for the company. British Energy publishes regular monthly output statements.

Broadband

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Broadband Fund has been allocated to (a) each regional development agency and (b) each devolved administration.

Stephen Timms: The UK Broadband Fund was allocated from a formula based on the number of residents who did not yet have affordable access to broadband services. It was allocated as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 East of England 3.22 
			 East Midlands 2.09 
			 London 0.113 
			 North East 1.46 
			 North West 2.68 
			 South East 2.90 
			 South West 3.78 
			 West Midlands 2.10 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 3.10 
			 Northern Ireland 1.46 
			 Scotland 4.40 
			 Wales 2.67

Broadband

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the joint DTI and Defra Rural Broadband Team has met since its inception; and what meetings they have held with outside bodies.

Stephen Timms: The joint DTI and Defra Rural Broadband Team has been working together in the same office premises since May 2003. The team has met a wide range of outside bodies including Regional Development Agencies, Devolved Administrations, Government Offices, Countryside Agency, Country Land and Business Association, British Chambers of Commerce, Ruralnet, local government and councils, community broadband groups, social enterprises and broadband and ICT companies.

Clergy (Employment Rights)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans her Department has to implement section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 in relation to employment rights for clergy;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the Employment Bill announced in the Queen's Speech with reference to the application of section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 to employment rights for clergy.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There are no measures in the Employment Relations Bill to extend employment rights to the clergy. In relation to s23 of the Employment Relations Act, we hope to publish a Government response to the Employment Status Review around the turn of the year.

Debt (Late Payment)

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for statutory interest payments have been submitted to private companies under the terms of the Late Payment of Commercial Debt (Interest) Act 1998; how many claims were met; and what the total value was of such payments in each year since the Act has been in operation.

Nigel Griffiths: There is no requirement for companies to register claims for statutory interest payments under the Late Payment Legislation.

Electronics and Innovation Growth Team

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of representation is afforded to small businesses on the electronics and innovation growth team advising her Department.

Nigel Griffiths: While membership of the Electronic Innovation and Growth Team (EIGT) Steering Board and Working Groups is by personal invitation, I am assured SMEs are well represented. Both the Steering Board and Working Groups have participants who are employed in or who are key participates in SME networks. The EIGT is acutely aware of the significance that SMEs play in the sector.
	SMEs wishing to contribute views to the work of the team may email EIGT at eigth@dti.gsi.gov.uk

Employment Tribunals

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment tribunal cases there were in (a) West Derbyshire, (b) East Midlands and (c) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows the number of tribunal applications registered by the Employment Tribunals Service in the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) since 1997. We are unable to supply separate statistical information for the geographical areas of West Derbyshire and East Midlands.
	
		
			  Registered tribunal applications 
		
		
			 2002–03 98,617 
			 2001–02 112,227 
			 2000–01 130,408 
			 1999–2000 103,935 
			 1998–99 91,913 
			 1997–98 80,435 
			 1996–97 88,910

Employment Tribunals

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average amount of an employment tribunal cost award was in (a) West Derbyshire, (b) East Midlands and (c) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows the average amount of an Employment Tribunal cost award in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) since 1997. We are unable to supply the average amount of an Employment Tribunal cost award for West Derbyshire and East Midlands.
	
		
			  Average cost award (£) 
		
		
			 2002–03 1,524 
			 2001–02 983 
			 2000–01 295 
			 1999–2000 1,155 
			 1998–99 743 
			 1997–98 546

Employment Tribunals

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average award for compensation in employment tribunal cases was in (a) West Derbyshire, (b) East Midlands and (c) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Employment Tribunals Service only collects compensation statistics for tribunal cases covering the jurisdictions of Unfair Dismissal, Race Discrimination, Sex Discrimination and Disability Discrimination. Therefore, the figures quoted in the following table illustrate the average award for compensation in Employment Tribunal cases for the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) since 1997 in relation to the aforementioned complaints. We are unable to supply separate information for West Derbyshire and East Midlands.
	
		
			  Average compensation award (£) 
		
		
			 2002–03 7,598 
			 2001–02 7,306 
			 2000–01 5,764 
			 1999–2000 5,734 
			 1998–99 4,449 
			 1997–98 4,894

Employment Tribunals

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment tribunal cost awards have been made against (a) respondents and (b) applicants in (i) West Derbyshire, (ii) East Midlands and (iii) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table illustrates how many Employment Tribunal cost awards have been made against respondents and applicants in the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) in the last two financial years. The Employment Tribunals Service did not breakdown the statistics for applicants and respondents prior to 2001–02. We are unable to supply information for West Derbyshire and East Midlands.
	
		
			  2002–03 2001–02 
		
		
			 Cost awards against respondent 307 169 
			 Costs awards against applicant 691 467

EU Constitution

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact the energy provision of the draft European Union Constitution would have on the oil and gas industries operating on the United Kingdom's continental shelf; and what changes would have to be made to the present regime for these industries.

Stephen Timms: It is not yet clear what the precise effect of the energy chapter would be for the UK oil and gas industries. Although the draft Constitutional Treaty creates a legal base for energy, it does not, for example, bring forward a new regulatory regime. Article 111–157 of the draft Constitutional Treaty sets out EU competence in energy matters, including natural resources, with voting by qualified majority. The UK has proposed amendments which would make it clear that Member States retain control of their natural resources.

Euratom Programme

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the use of the Euratom local facility by the Government since 1997.

Stephen Timms: Neither the UK Government, nor any UK entity, has taken out a Euratom loan since 1997.

Home Accidents

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will publish a summary of the representations she has received on the termination of the home accidents surveillance system.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 18 November 2003, Official Report, column 742W. I will not publish a summary of the representations that I have received on the termination of the home accidents surveillance system. I have received representations on a confidential basis and I do not have permission from any of the individuals or organisations who sent them to make them public.

Post Office Closures

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about Post Office closures in Eastbourne.

Stephen Timms: None. Only the representation from the hon. Member for Eastbourne has been received.

Manufacturing

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the change in UK manufacturing output in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

Patricia Hewitt: The Budget forecast for manufacturing output shows growth of between ¼ and ¾ per cent. in 2003, and growth of between 2 per cent. and 2¾ per cent. in 2004. A new forecast will be presented in the pre-Budget Report on 10 December.

Mining-related Compensation Claims

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost charged to her Department by solicitors for mining-related diseases claims handling was in each year since claims were first handled, broken down by solicitors' firm; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: The solicitors' costs are paid on a tariff basis, under the terms of the Claims Handling Agreements (CHA). Under the CHA the basic costs are:
	
		
			 COPD Costs VWF(25) Costs 
		
		
			 Settled expedited offers £955 + VAT + disbursements General damages claims in Group 1 occupations £652 + VAT + disbursements 
			 Settled full and final offers £1,856 + VAT + disbursements General damages claims in Group 2 occupations £760 + VAT + disbursements 
			 Settled chronic bronchitis only £531+VAT + disbursements   
		
	
	(25) Costs for handling services claims are not yet agreed.
	Note:
	In addition solicitors received additional payments for handling Grant of Probates, disputes procedures and posthumous claims.

Mining-related Compensation Claims

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants have had interim payments to date through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claim for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coal miners.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 23 November 2003 the figures are:
	
		
			 Top 10 solicitors Number of claimants with interims paid 
		
		
			 COPD  
			 Barber & Co. 3 
			 Beresfords 243 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 5,892 
			 Graysons 2,414 
			 Hugh James 11,327 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 2,644 
			 Raleys 7,503 
			 Thompsons 15,519 
			 UDM 4,275 
			 Watson Burton 1,744 
			   
			 VWF  
			 Beresfords 1,852 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 6,137 
			 Graysons 6,664 
			 Hugh James 4,302 
			 Kidd Spoor & Harper 1,695 
			 Raleys 6,491 
			 Thompsons 13,990 
			 Towells 2,961 
			 UDM 11,451 
			 Watson Burton 4,328

Mining-related Compensation Claims

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to claimants through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 23 November 2003 the figures are:
	
		£ million
		
			 Top 10 solicitors Total damages paid 
		
		
			 COPD  
			 Barber & Co. 0.022 
			 Beresfords 5.6 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 66.4 
			 Graysons 24.9 
			 Hugh James 183.1 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 30.3 
			 Raleys 104.8 
			 Thompson 183.5 
			 UDM 46.6 
			 Watson Burton 21.6 
			   
			 VWF  
			 Beresfords 15.7 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 84.0 
			 Graysons 44.9 
			 Hugh James 54.3 
			 Kidd Spoor & Harper 25.3 
			 Raleys 64.7 
			 Thompsons 115.0 
			 Towells 29.5 
			 UDM 126.3 
			 Watson Burton 39.0

Mining-related Compensation Claims

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to date to each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 23 November 2003 the figures are:
	
		£ million
		
			 Top 10 solicitors Total solicitors costs 
		
		
			 COPD  
			 Barber & Co. 0.006 
			 Beresfords 4.0 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 13.0 
			 Graysons 8.4 
			 Hugh James 34.6 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 9.5 
			 Raleys 22.4 
			 Thompson 33.1 
			 UDM 15.5 
			 Watson Burton 7.3 
			   
			 VWF  
			 Beresfords 1.3 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 8.2 
			 Graysons 3.5 
			 Hugh James 5.5 
			 Kidd Spoor & Harper 1.9 
			 Raleys 6.1 
			 Thompsons 8.6 
			 Towells 2.5 
			 UDM 10.1 
			 Watson Burton 3.0

Mining-related Compensation Claims

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claimants have had final settlements through each of the top 10 claims handlers involved in the compensation claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger of former coalminers.

Nigel Griffiths: As of 23 November 2003 the figures are:
	
		
			 Top 10 solicitors Total settlements 
		
		
			 COPD  
			 Barber & Co. 47 
			 Berefords 2,434 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 5,797 
			 Graysons 4,305 
			 Hugh James 15,607 
			 Mark Gilbert Morse 4,458 
			 Raleys 9,926 
			 Thompsons 14,526 
			 UDM 8,742 
			 Watson Burton 3,547 
			   
			 VWF  
			 Beresfords 1,051 
			 Browell Smith & Co. 9,725 
			 Graysons 1,643 
			 Kidd & Spoor Harper 1,959 
			 Hugh James 5,799 
			 Raleys 6,073 
			 Thompsons 5,915 
			 Towells 2,588 
			 UDM 12,757 
			 Watson Burton 2,390

Nuclear Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment of the impact on Britain's spare generating capacity she has made of the continuing repair work to (a) Heysham 1 and (b) Sizewell B power stations; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 2 December 2003
	Sizewell B returned to operation on 15 November 2003.
	British Energy have stated that they expect Heysham 1 to return to service around the middle of December 2003. The capacity of Heysham 1 is 1165 MW.
	In the October 2003 Update of their Seven Year Statement, National Grid Company (NGC) projected total capacity available this winter for England and Wales of 66,697 MW and peak demand of 55,900 MW. Should Heysham 1 be unavailable at the time of peak demand, these figures suggest there could still be up to 9,632 MW more generating capacity than demand, providing cover against other plant breakdowns and exceptional demand levels.
	Since NGC issued the October 2003 Update, a further 560 MW of previously mothballed capacity at Killingholme has been returned to service by PowerGen.

Pension Payments

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to increase the take-up of Post Office card accounts by pensioners.

Stephen Timms: None. What matters for the Post Office is attracting more customers, not whether they have a Post Office card account. Customers can now access a wide range of bank accounts at the post office and I hope that they choose to do so. The Department for Work and Pensions provides its customers with all the information that they need to choose the account into which they would like to have their benefits paid in future, including those accounts which provide post office access. The final choice of account is a matter of personal choice for each individual concerned. I understand that that as of 7 November 2003 more than 1 million Post Office card accounts had been opened.

Phoenix Fund

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will break down the funding allocated under the Phoenix Fund by (a) region and (b) local authority area.

Nigel Griffiths: The Phoenix Fund does not operate on the basis of allocations to regions or local authority areas. Rather, funds have been awarded to the best applications submitted in response to a number of bidding rounds.
	That process has resulted in the following distribution between regions:
	
		
			 Region Amount (£) 
		
		
			 Eastern 2,516,391 
			 East Midlands 2,769,891 
			 London 11,679,715 
			 North East 2,258,728 
			 North West 9,326,749 
			 South East 2,074,468 
			 South West 4,892,132 
			 West Midlands 6,284,574 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 6,653,985 
		
	
	It is not possible to provide a corresponding breakdown between local authority areas as many of the Fund's projects operate in more than one local authority area.

Post Office Card Account

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role her Department has in the administrative arrangements for setting up a Post Office Card Account; and if she will meet the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters to discuss their concerns about other Government departments' approach to claimants using a post office to access their benefits.

Stephen Timms: The Government does not have a role in the administrative arrangements for setting up a Post Office Card Account. This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd.
	DTI Ministers and officials are in regular discussions with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters about a wide range of post office network issues, including the Post Office Card Account.

Recycled Liquid Fuel

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much recycled liquid fuel has been imported into the UK in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: HM Customs and Excise are responsible for the collection of importation data. Customs do not record whether a liquid import has been recycled or whether it is later used as a fuel.

Regulatory Accountability

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish the cross-departmental action plan for delivering improvements in government performance regarding the regulatory environment for small businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: The plan for delivering improvements in the regulatory environment for small businesses will form a part of a broader cross-government action plan for small business to be published early in 2004. In addition, the government's Regulatory Reform Action Plan, to be published shortly by my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, will contain a number of measures that will help small business.

Small Business Service

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service has had with Ministers in each Government Department in the last year.

Nigel Griffiths: The Chief Executive of the Small Business Service meets Ministers in this and other Departments. As with other contacts between officials and Ministers, however, the frequency and nature of such advice however remains private, under Exemption 2—Internal advice and discussion of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Small Business Service

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service has made (a) direct representations to the Prime Minister and (b) held meetings with the Prime Minister in each year since the organisation came into operation.

Nigel Griffiths: The Chief Executive of the Small Business Service meets Ministers in this and other Departments. As with other contacts between officials, the Prime Minister and Ministers, however, the frequency and nature of such advice however remains private, under Exemption 2—Internal advice and discussion of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Social Enterprises

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to improve access to finance for social enterprises.

Nigel Griffiths: We are working with banks and Community Development Finance Institutions on the recommendations made in the Bank of England's report on access to finance for social enterprises, which was published in May 2003.
	A fuller update of successes to date can be found in "A Progress Report on Social Enterprise: a strategy for success", on the DTI Social Enterprise website.

Spam E-mails

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what penalties will be available against persistent disseminators of spam junk e-mail when new regulations come into force;
	(2)  what directions have been issued to trading standards offices about new regulations coming into force to deal with nuisance spam e-mails;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to tackle spam e-mails.

Stephen Timms: New regulatory controls on unsolicited direct marketing e-mails will come into force on 11 December this year. The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 introduce prior consent requirements for unsolicited direct marketing e-mails sent to individuals and a requirement for all direct marketing e-mails not to disguise or conceal the identity of the person on whose behalf they are sent, and not to be sent without a valid address for opt-out purposes. The new rules will be enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office, who will have powers to issue enforcement notices in cases of breaches of the rules. Breach of an enforcement notice is a criminal offence subject to a fine of up to £5,000 in a magistrate's court or an unlimited fine if the trial is before a jury. In addition, individuals or organisations who have suffered a loss or damage as a result of a failure to comply with the regulations will be entitled to seek compensation from the person responsible for the breach.
	Junk e-mail is a global phenomenon, however, and the great majority of spam received by UK internet users comes from outside the European Union. The UK is active in international discussions on how to tackle the problem of cross-border spam both multilaterally (for example, in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), and bilaterally with the USA and other national governments.

Taxis

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government's guidelines on consultation have been followed in the case of the regulation of licensed taxi and private hire vehicle services in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Office of Fair Trading published a report on the regulation of licensed taxis and private Hire vehicles on 11 November, making recommendations to the Government, which the Government is now considering. In coming to conclusions Government is listening to the views of stakeholders on the proposals put forward by OFT. However Government are not undertaking a consultation or endeavouring to repeat the work undertaken by the OFT in preparing its report. I am aware that Ministers responsible for transport policy have ensured that key stakeholders have been made aware that the OFT have published their report and indicated that they would prefer early feedback to inform their consideration of the report.
	Should the Government decide in principle to move forward with regulatory change, there will be a full consultation on any proposals, which will of course abide by our consultation guidelines and allow at least 12 weeks for responses.

Tyres (Energy Recovery)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Department has to import tyres for energy recovery.

Stephen Timms: The Government have no plans to import waste tyres to be used in energy recovery.

Unofficial Strikes

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to limit the number of unofficial strikes where striking workers refuse to submit to arbitration.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government actively encourages parties to seek the assistance of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) where appropriate, while recognising that compelling either employers or workers to enter into arbitration can be counter-productive.